April is bowel cancer awareness month so it makes sense to make sure we highlight the symptoms.
There’s alot going on in the world at the moment, and although the NHS is under massive pressure they are on record reminding patients if they are unwell make an appointment.
People ignore bowel cancer symptoms at the best of times, please don’t let the current pandemic stop you from seeking help though.
Understandably we’re all wary of adding to the NHS workload but they have advised that if you are unwell to carry on with an appointment. It’s tough woth bowel cancer as people have often ignored symptoms because they’re too embarrassed to talk about their botties, yet we all have one! Please don’t let symptoms drag on
With over 420,000 people diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, we cannot continue to ignore. ESPECIALLY as the survival rates drop dramatically the later it is diagnosed.
When bowel cancer is diagnosed in the early stages there is a 95% chance of survival rate. A slow growing cancer that gives you a chance of you listen to your body.
Worryingly, only two out of five people are diagnosed in stages one or two, when it is most treatable.
Don’t die of embarrassment
Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer.
We all know that bowel cancer is not just an “old person’s disease” so this really is a read for people of all ages. After all my first experience was aged 29 and they think my tumour had been present for up to five years.
Common symptoms include:
• Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your stool
• A persistent change in bowel habits, including diarrhoea or constipation
• Softer and looser stool than usual
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme weakness or tiredness
• Dizziness or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain in your stomach
• A lump in your stomach
If you have any of the above symptoms please contact your GP. Most are doing telephone or video consults now so having a little symptom diary may well help.
Up Yer Bum : bowel cancer awareness & charity events 