Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK. Despite its prevalence, many people are unaware of the signs and symptoms.
I was one of those naive people who thought by living a healthy lifestyle I would be immune to any diseases. I was wrong!
One fateful day in October 2021, I woke up at 6 am, feeling refreshed after adjusting my sleep routine. I made a bullet coffee while listening to motivational music. The night before the UK government announced a new three-tier system of Covid-19 restrictions would start in England. As I waited for the kettle to boil I experienced a sharp, stabbing pain in my lower abdomen that brought me to my knees. The pain subsided quickly, and I continued my day, but throughout the month, I felt constantly bloated and I had difficulties going for a poo.
I dismissed these symptoms as overindulgence from the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme. I switched off the notifications for Just Eat and started using a Bullet blender again to make my delicious smoothies to improve my diet, unaware that these symptoms were early signs of bowel cancer.
Working from home, wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed the convenience of rolling out of bed and onto my office chair. My employer gave me everything I needed to work efficiently from home. Although I lost some of my confidence and I missed the banter.
As Christmas approached, I lost my appetite due to the constant feeling of being constipated, I felt weak and tired all the time. Despite going on a high-fibre diet and consuming a vast amount of coffee, nothing worked, and the stabbing pains returned, becoming more frequent. By Christmas, my lower back ached, my lower abdomen was in constant pain, and I could feel a lump on the inside of my lower abdomen. My family and friends noticed I was walking differently, sitting awkwardly, and lost a lot of weight. They urged me to see a doctor, but I delayed until the new year.
In January, my father fell ill with Covid and was admitted to the hospital. During this time, my health issues took a backseat, but after his passing in February, I decided to go back and see my GP.
The doctor initially diagnosed me with constipation due to stress and prescribed laxatives, which helped ease my bowel movements but he couldn’t explain the lump. As the weeks progressed all my other symptoms were worsening. Once I had completed my course of laxatives I went back to the GP and I was told it was IBS. I was given IBS medication and more laxatives, I also made changes to my diet. However, my health continued to deteriorate and I had to plead with the doctor to reconsider his diagnosis but he was reluctant as he was confident it was IBS. I didn’t share his sentiment and after a heated debate, he finally gave in and agreed to carry out a blood test.
The results of the test came back within 2 days and revealed an alarming amount of inflammation within my body. So much so, that I was asked to carry out 2 more blood tests and then I was sent to see a specialist as an emergency outpatient at Lister Hospital.
In May, I had a colonoscopy which revealed a tumour in the exact place where I could feel the lump and stabbing pains. The consultant informed me it was likely cancer, and I was left to process the devastating news and think about how to tell my family, who were still mourning my father’s death. The test results followed shortly confirming the consultant’s diagnoses and I started chemotherapy shortly after.
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in the UK. Although I didn’t experience all of the following symptoms, here are the five main symptoms:
- Persistent change in bowel habits: This includes going more often, with looser stools, diarrhoea or constipation.
- Blood in stools: Spotting any sign of blood in your stool or on toilet paper can be a key symptom of bowel cancer.
- Abdominal pain, discomfort, or bloating: This could sometimes result in reduced appetite.
- Unexplained fatigue: Feeling tired without reason could be a sign that your body is dealing with cancer.
- Unexplained weight loss: When you lose weight without trying, it can be a symptom of several conditions, including bowel cancer.
Here are some important facts about bowel cancer in the UK:
- Around 44,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year.
- Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer.
- It’s the second leading cause of cancer deaths with over 16,000 people dying from it each year.
- Early diagnosis is crucial as more than 9 in 10 people will survive bowel cancer for 5 years or more. Despite this, only around 15% of bowel cancers are diagnosed at the earliest stage.
- Lifestyle factors such as diet, weight, exercise, and smoking can influence the risk of developing bowel cancer.
It’s important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than cancer, such as inflammatory bowel disease, or irritable bowel syndrome. However, if you have one or more of these symptoms it’s essential to see your GP for advice.
Common myths about bowel cancer:
Myth 1: Bowel cancer is an old person’s disease
While it’s true that the risk increases with age, bowel cancer can affect anyone at any age. It’s important to be aware of the symptoms and get screened when recommended, regardless of your age.
Myth 2: If you feel fine, you don’t have bowel cancer
Many people with early-stage bowel cancer feel perfectly healthy. Symptoms can be subtle or non-existent in the early stages, which is why screening is crucial for early detection.
Myth 3: Only men get bowel cancer
Both men and women can develop bowel cancer. In fact, it’s a common type of cancer for both sexes, so everyone should take the risk seriously.
Myth 4: A healthy diet guarantees bowel cancer prevention
While a diet high in fibre and low in processed meats can reduce your risk, it doesn’t eliminate it completely. Genetics and other factors also play a role in bowel cancer risk.
Myth 5: Bowel cancer always has obvious symptoms like blood in the stool
Some people with bowel cancer do not have visible blood in their stool or any other obvious symptoms. That’s why it’s important not to rely solely on symptom monitoring.
Myth 6: Bowel cancer is untreatable
Bowel cancer is often treatable, especially if caught early. Treatments can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, among others.
Remember, staying informed and proactive about your health is key to prevention and early detection of bowel cancer. If you have concerns or questions, talk to your GP.
