Correct

Bowel cancer can affect people of all ages so it’s important to contact your GP if you have symptoms or if something doesn’t feel right, no matter how old you are. However, the risk of getting bowel cancer does increase with age and most people who develop bowel cancer are over 50.

Correct

There are five red flag symptoms to look out for:

1. Blood in your poo or bleeding from your bottom
2. A persistent change in bowel habit
3. Feeling very tired for no obvious reason
4. Unexplained weight loss
5. A pain or lump in your tummy

If you experience any one of these symptoms, or if something just doesn’t feel right, you should contact your GP straight away. Most people who experience these won’t have bowel cancer. Other health conditions can cause similar symptoms. But it’s important to speak to your GP so you can rule out bowel cancer as the cause.

Correct

Some people poo several times a day, and others poo twice a week. What’s important is to know what’s normal for you. However, if you experience a change in bowel habit that doesn’t clear up, it can be a sign of bowel cancer.

You might find you’re going to the toilet more often or less often than is normal for you. Your poo might be looser, softer or runnier than normal, or it might be drier and harder. You might find it difficult or painful to have a poo.

If something changes or doesn’t feel right, then contact your GP. If you’re not sure what’s going on, then you could keep track of your symptoms in a diary.

Correct

If you see blood in your poo or have bleeding from your bottom while going to the toilet, you should contact your GP straight away. The blood might appear bright red, dark red or black. Most people who experience this won’t have bowel cancer, but it’s important to speak to your GP as soon as possible so you can rule out bowel cancer as the cause.

Correct

Your doctor will first ask you about your symptoms. They may ask you whether there have been any changes in your life recently, for example a change in diet or any new medicines. They’ll also ask you about any family history.

They may examine you and feel your stomach area (abdomen) to see if there are any lumps or tender areas. They may also offer you a blood test.

Your GP should arrange for you to take a test called a faecal immunochemical test or FIT at home, to check for hidden blood in your poo. If blood is detected in the poo, or if your doctor thinks you need further tests, then they’ll refer you for an endoscopy to take a better look inside your bowel.