How common is Bowel Cancer?
Bowel cancer is fourth most common cancer in the UK and second biggest cancer killer.
1 in 15 men and 1 in 18 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime.
Symptoms of Bowel Cancer
Bowel cancer is very treatable but the earlier if it’s diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. People whose cancer is diagnosed at an early stage have a much higher chance of successful treatment than those whose cancer has become more widespread.
· 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 your tummy
Risk factors
We don’t know what causes bowel cancer, but we don know the that some factors increase your risk of getting disease.
· Aged over 50
· A strong family history of bowel cancer
· A history of non-cancerous growth(polyps) in your bowel
· Longstanding inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
· Type 2 diabetes
· An unhealthy lifestyle
Bowel Cancer Screening
Screening is a way of testing people to see if they show any early signs of cancer. Faecal Immunochemical test looks for hidden blood in poo.
PCMF offer screening service every two years to all men and women aged 60-74. You will receive two invitation letter within a month interval and one last telephone call for non-responders.
