These are the Key Symptoms that you should to look out for … plus how you should be investigated if you have
them:
1. Having blood with your bowel motions and going more frequently to the loo
to pass softer, looser poo - if this persists for more than 4 weeks it should be
investigated at any age but especially over 40 by a short 5 minute
examination in outpatients without sedation and with simple bowel cleaning - known as “flexi sig”
2. Persistent rectal bleeding: In people over 50 – it should be
investigated by 'flexi sig' In people below 50 – it should be
investigated if this happens for no reasons - no pile symptoms, no constipation
and persists for 4 weeks
3. Going more frequently to pass
softer/looser poo for more than 4 weeks without bleeding – should be investigated
by 'flexi sig' in people over 50
4. Iron deficiency anaemia found in a blood
test done by your doctor All
men and women should be investigated by colonoscopy if there is no obvious cause for the
iron deficiency anaemia even if they have no bowel symptoms - in most women before the menopause anaemia is due to their periods but if there is any doubt and it keeps coming back after stopping treatment with iron they should have tests to exclude serious disease
5. Patients with iron deficiency anaemia and one of the three primary symptoms
of bowel cancer- 40% can be
simply diagnosed by flexi-sig - the rest will need colonoscopy if flexi-sig
is normal
Blood
tests are cheap – don’t wait for signs of anaemia as there are usually no signs
until anaemia is seriously advanced
6. Lump in tummy or bottom felt by doctor –
ask your GP to check as you may not be able to feel it! If you have a lump in your tummy you will need a CT scan
Important: Most people with
bowel cancer are NOT losing weight - do not have extreme tiredness - have symptoms without feeling ill!
Subtle
symptoms and combinations of symptoms are much more important to catch bowel
cancer earlier
You
may have other signs and symptoms – mucus, pain, discomfort, changes in the
shape of your poo. These are common in
other conditions and unless you have at least one of the above key symptoms
and signs - it is highly unlikely you have any serious condition of your bowel.