Raising awareness about bowel cancer symptoms

Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon is highlighting the death of a young Lanarkshire man less than two weeks he was diagnosed with bowel cancer in a bid to raise more awareness of the symptoms of the illness.

With the shocking statistic that almost four in 10 people cannot name a single symptom of bowel cancer, the Labour politicians is encouraging constituents across Monklands to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of the condition during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

Ms Lennon is using the campaign to highlight the symptoms so that more people can be diagnosed earlier when it is more treatable and curable.

It’s a cause close to the heart of the MSP, after working closely with the family of Ryan Brown, who, at the age of 23, was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, having suffered with ulcerative colitis for over a decade.

Ryan was very aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer and pushed for regular check-ups with his GP and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) nurse.

Unfortunately, due to his age and medical history, his symptoms were initially dismissed and his cancer was identified far too late.

Ryan, of Harthill, tragically died 13 days after his diagnosis.

The Brown family, including Ryan’s twin sister Hope, want to highlight that bowel cancer can be more aggressive and spread more rapidly in younger people, but often it is found too late.

They want to ensure that people under 50 know the signs and symptoms and that healthcare professionals are more aware of how this disease can impact younger people.

Ms Lennon said: “It has never been more important to raise awareness of the signs of bowel cancer because fewer than one in four people are diagnosed at stages 1 and 2 and we know that early detection is key to survival.

“The death of my young constituent Ryan Brown really hit home that bowel cancer can strike at any age. The Brown family have shone a light on the assumptions that can be made about younger people, and I pay tribute to them for challenging the medical profession and the public to think again.

“More than 2600 people under 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK every year and this number is slowly increasing, so it is vital to improve awareness and increase resources.

“Through their tireless campaigning in Ryan’s memory, the Brown family are helping to save lives.

“Knowing the symptoms of bowel cancer could save your life and charities such as Bowel Cancer UK need our support to raise this vital awareness.”

Bowel cancer symptoms include bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo, unexplained changes in your bowel habit, unexplained weight loss, pain in your abdomen and extreme tiredness with no obvious reason.

It is found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum.

How serious bowel cancer is depends on how big the cancer is, if the cancer has spread, and your general health.

It is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK and bowel cancer screening can pick it up early, which may mean it’s easier to treat.

More information can be found at www.bowelcanceruk. org.uk

Beloved Ryan Brown tragically died 13 days after his bowel cancer diagnosis