More than a third of UK adults are unable to identify the symptoms of bowel cancer, according to a new YouGov survey.
This concerning lack of awareness comes despite bowel cancer being the fourth most common cancer in the UK, affecting approximately one in 15 men and one in 18 women.
The survey revealed that just 22 per cent of people mentioned changes to bowel habits as a symptom.
Only 12 per cent recognised bleeding from the bottom as a warning sign. Less than half (47 per cent) of respondents identified blood in excrement as a symptom of bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer patients often report persistent stomach pain
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This knowledge gap is particularly worrying given how crucial early detection is for successful treatment.
Science Director at Selph, Dr Alasdair Scott, emphasised: “As with most types of cancer, the earlier you pick up bowel cancer the better your chances of beating it.”
He noted that about 90 per cent of bowel cancers in the UK are diagnosed because of symptoms.
“You’re about three times more likely to survive bowel cancer if you’re diagnosed through screening compared to being diagnosed because you’ve got bowel cancer symptoms.”
Dr Scott outlined five main symptoms to watch for, starting with changes in bowel habits that persist for 2-3 weeks.
Blood in stool is another key indicator, appearing as dark red and often mixed with stool.
Persistent stomach pain, unintentional weight loss, and tenesmus – a constant feeling of needing to use the toilet – complete the list of warning signs.
Dr Scott warned that bowel cancer rates are rising in the under-50s age group. He strongly recommends not waiting until the standard screening age in the mid-50s before getting tested.
A change in bowel habits can be linked to cancer
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“Follow the lead of countries like the USA and Japan where they start bowel cancer screening in their 40s and have much better bowel cancer survival than we do in the UK,” he urged.
For those experiencing any of these symptoms, Dr Scott advised taking two important steps.
Firstly, get a qFIT bowel cancer test to check for blood in the stool, even if rectal bleeding is already present. Secondly, make an appointment with your GP for a proper assessment.
Early action could be life-saving, particularly as over half of bowel cancer diagnoses occur at advanced stages.
