Knowing the signs of bowel cancer is crucial
More than 1,100 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in Scotland, making it the country’s thirdmostcommon cancer after lung and breast cancer.
Although the disease is more commonintheover 50s, it can affect people of all ages.
Every year around 2,500 people under 50 in the UK are told they have bowel cancer.
Although it’s also the second biggest cancer killer in Scotland, it shouldn’t be – as it’s treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early.
Nearly everyone survives if diagnosed at the earliest stage.
This this drops significantly, however, as the disease develops.
Knowingthe symptomsofbowel cancer could save your life. Being aware of the keysymptomsand visiting your GP if things don’t feel right can help increase the chance of an early diagnosis, when bowel cancer is
easier to treat. The symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
• Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
• A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
• A pain or lump in yourtummy
Research shows that around half of all bowel cancers could be prevented by having a healthier lifestyle.
Making simple changes to your diet like having plenty of wholegrains and fibre, avoiding processed meat and limiting red meat, being of a healthy body weight, havingregularphysical activity, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol can help stack the odds against developing bowel cancer.
As part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, charity Bowel CancerUKhas launched‘Step up for 30’– a campaign that urges supporters to get active every day in April and ask people to sponsor them.
Not only will you be improving your mental and physical health through exercise, the money you raise will go towardsfundingBowel Cancer UK’s vital services and lifesaving research.
Formore information about bowel cancer and to sign up to Step up for 30, visit bowel canceruk.org.uk