Talking about bowel movements remains a social taboo for many, yet openly discussing changes with a medical professional is absolutely vital for the early detection of serious conditions. Bowel cancer stands as one of the most prevalent cancers in the United Kingdom, yet public awareness of its signs and the available screening processes remains insufficient.
Consultant Surgeon Highlights Five Key Red Flags
Ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April, we consulted with Mr Jeremy Clark, a consultant general surgeon specialising in colorectal diseases at Nuffield Health in Brighton. He provides crucial insight into the warning signs that should prompt immediate medical consultation.
1. Blood Present in Stool
"Passing blood when you go to the toilet is a worrying feature that you should flag to your GP," states Clark. He explains that the colour can vary significantly, offering a clue to the bleeding's origin.
"If you're bleeding from the beginning of your colon, it has got to travel three or four feet before it comes out with your waste material, so it will turn very dark black. But if you're bleeding from something lower down in the bowel, closer to your bottom, it will come out bright red," he details.
Clark stresses that any single, significant instance of dark or mixed-in blood should be reported immediately. Persistent bright red blood, lasting more than a week without prior investigation, also warrants a doctor's visit, even if haemorrhoids are suspected.
2. Persistent Changes in Bowel Habits
"If your bowels go from working once a day like clockwork, and then suddenly you're going two or three times a day and the bowels are a bit looser, that's something that needs to be looked into," advises Clark.
While increased constipation is less of a direct risk factor, a sudden, persistent change that does not revert to normal also requires medical attention. Temporary upsets are common, but a change lasting several weeks should not be ignored.
3. Unexplained Abdominal Pain
Clark highlights that bowel cancers can cause abdominal pain. Although this symptom more frequently appears in later stages, it can also manifest early in the disease's progression.
4. Persistent Feelings of Bloating
"People often feel quite bloated if there's something wrong going on in the bowel," adds Clark. A persistent bloated sensation, especially when combined with other symptoms, should be evaluated.
5. Unexpected and Unexplained Weight Loss
"Bowel cancers can cause you to lose weight by having an impact on how your digestion is working," notes Clark. This symptom often overlaps with less serious conditions, leading many to dismiss it.
The Critical Importance of Early Reporting
Clark acknowledges the diagnostic challenge, as these symptoms frequently mirror benign issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, he strongly cautions against complacency.
"We don't want people to be sitting on symptoms for a couple of months, wondering if something is going to change back to normal, because although bowel cancers usually do progress slowly, occasionally they can be more aggressive," he warns.
Early reporting dramatically improves treatment options and prognosis. "We like people to report these things early, as we would rather investigate something and figure out that it's nothing rather than be looking at things later on and not being able to do so much," Clark emphasises.
Next Steps: Consulting Your GP and Screening
If you experience any of these symptoms, or are worried about bodily changes, visiting your GP is the essential first step. Clark explains the typical process:
- GPs often provide a FIT kit (Faecal Immunochemical Test), an at-home kit for collecting a small stool sample for laboratory analysis.
- Results are usually communicated within two weeks via letter.
- The national bowel cancer screening programme also offers these kits every two years to people aged 50 to 74.
"If it comes back as positive, that means there is blood in your stools which needs to be investigated," says Clark. A positive result typically leads to a referral for a colonoscopy or CT scan to check for polyps or cancer, enabling much earlier and more curable intervention.
