'I'm a doctor -these are the red flag symptoms for silent killer cancer often mistaken for IBS'
| Published date | 25 April 2024 |
| Publication title | WalesOnline (Wales) |
Mrs Hunt was told the cancer could have been growing for up to 10 years -and that is not uncommon in people diagnosed with the disease. For there are few symptoms and those there are are often mixed up with IBS -a common condition that affects the digestive system. and causes symptoms like stomach cramps, bloating and diarrhoea.
But bowel cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer in the UK with almost 43,000 people diagnosed with it in the UK every year in the UK. Every day 46 people will die as a result of the disease.
While most cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50 it can affect anyone of any age. More than 2,600 new cases are diagnosed in people under the age of 50 every year.
Associate Medical Director and GP at Vitality, Nikita Patel, has shared key issues to watch for and when to visit a GP. She warned: "Bowel cancer symptoms can sometimes be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS as the symptoms can be quite hard to distinguish. It’s important to keep a track of changes in your bowels and consult your GP if you’re worried about anything."
Dr Patel has answered some key questions to explain symptoms, when to seek medical advice and how to cut your risk of developing the disease. This is what she advises:
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer
Bowel cancer can present in a number of different ways. Some of the lesser-known symptoms are listed below:
Unexplained change in bowel habit – such as going to open your bowels more often or becoming more constipated Blood in your stool Lump in your tummy Unexplained loss of appetite Unexplained weight loss Anaemia If you have one or more of the above symptoms, it’s worth visiting your GP to discuss in more detail.
Can bowel cancer symptoms be confused with anything else
Bowel cancer symptoms can sometimes be confused with Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS as the symptoms can be quite hard to distinguish. It’s important to keep a track of changes in your bowels and consult your GP if you’re worried about anything. Your GP may ask you to keep a diary of your symptoms and/or request further tests for you before getting to a diagnosis.
Are there ways to reduce risk of getting bowel cancer
The risk of developing bowel cancer is complex. However, leading a healthy lifestyle can help you to reduce the...
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