Bowel cancer symptoms
Knowing the symptoms is important to help spot bowel cancer early. The earlier that it’s found, the more treatable it’s likely to be.
Bowel cancer is cancer that begins in the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. It’s sometimes called colorectal cancer.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer can affect anyone, whatever your age, gender, ethnicity or where you live.
Symptoms can include:
- bleeding from your bottom
- blood in your poo
- a change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that might come and go
- losing weight but you’re not sure why
- feeling very tired all the time but you’re not sure why
- a pain or lump in your tummy
Having these symptoms doesn’t always mean you have bowel cancer, but it’s still important to find out what’s causing them
What should I do if I have symptoms of bowel cancer?
If you have any of these symptoms, or if you’re worried about any changes that you notice, visit your GP and ask for an at-home test. It’s important to know that not everyone will have all the symptoms of bowel cancer, or they may get different symptoms at different times. Even if you have just one symptom, your GP will want to see you.
Learn more about the symptoms of bowel cancer
We’ve partnered with M&S to raise awareness of bowel cancer
We're working with Marks and Spencer to raise awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms among the store’s 30million customers.
