Symptoms

1. A recent, persistent change in bowel habit such as looser, more diarrhoea-like poo, constipation, or going to the toilet more often, or trying to go – irregularity in someone whose bowel habits have previously been regular
2. A change in shape or appearance of your poo
   For example, narrower poos than usual or mucus in poo
3. Blood in your poo or rectal bleeding
   Bright red or very dark blood should never be ignored
4. Frequent gas pain, cramps
   A feeling of fullness or bloating in the bowel or rectum
5. Unexplained anaemia
   A low red blood count causing tiredness, weakness or weight loss
6. A feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely after going to the toilet
7. Pain or a lump in the anus or rectum
8. Abdominal pain or swelling

Not everyone experiences symptoms, particularly in the early stages of bowel cancer. The above symptoms may be suggestive of bowel cancer, but they can also be due to other medical conditions, some foods or medicines.

Don’t delay in talking to your GP if you are experiencing any of the described symptoms for two weeks or more, because when diagnosed early almost 99% of cases can be successfully treated.

Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding should never be ignored.