Bowel cancer symptoms you should NEVER ignore
Changes to your bowel movements
Bloating or abdominal pain after eating
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme fatigue
VomitingA small number of cancers can only be diagnosed by a more extensive examination of the colon meaning the doctor may carry out a colonoscopy or CT colonography.
Emergency referrals, such as people with bowel obstruction, will be diagnosed by a CT scan.Bowel cancer is pretty rare before the age of 40, but is possible at any age.
Age is not the only risk factor with family history and other inflammatory bowel diseases making some people higher risk.
If you have an inherited bowel conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer – also known as Lynch syndrome- you could be a greater risk.People with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis may also be more likely to develop bowel cancer.
Lifestyle factors such as weight, smoking, diet, excessive red and/or processed meat as well as high alcohol intake can also be associated with an increased risk of bowel cancer.