CONSULTANT cancer specialist Tony Miles from BMI Goring Hall Hospital urged people to be watchful for the symptoms of bowel cancer during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

Bowel cancer – also known as colorectal cancer – is the UK’s fourth most common cancer and the second biggest cause of cancer deaths, with more than 16,000 people losing their lives to it in the UK each year.

However, more than 90 per cent of people who are diagnosed and treated in its early stages go on to make a recovery.

Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon Tony Miles said that remaining vigilant, knowing the signs and seeking an early doctor’s appointment if you are worried can all lead to an early diagnosis and a better outcome.

He said: “It’s important to remember that symptoms of bowel cancer to not necessarily mean that you have bowel cancer.

“However, if you are worried about any of these symptoms then it makes sense to see your doctor for a medical opinion.”

The symptoms are:

Lumps or pains in your tummy

Bleeding from your anus, or blood in your poo

Unexplained weight loss or extreme tiredness

Changes in bowel habits if they persist for more than three weeks, especially if you poo is loose or runny

A sense of feeling you need a wee after you’ve just had one.

Mr Miles said: “Bowel cancer survival has increased from 50 per cent to over 70 per cent because of early detection and better treatment.

“It’s always better to seek advice than sit on a problem.”

There are several known risk factors that may increase the risk of developing bowel cancer:

80 per cent of bowel cancers are in people aged over 60

10 per cent of the Ashkenazi Jewish community are affected by bowel cancer

People with a family history of bowel cancer

People exposed to radiation

A medical history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease or a history of diabetes.

For more information about bowel cancer see https://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/treatments/cancer-care/bowel-cancer

The hospital in Bodiam Avenue, Worthing, provides services for NHS patients, for insured patients and for patients who choose to pay for their own care.