Bowel cancer: knowing the symptoms and who is at risk

However, if any of the following symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, talk to your GP:

Recent, persistent changes of bowel habit, for example

in consistency, including diarrhoea (looseness); constipation (too solid);

in frequency, including going a lot more or less than usual;

in completeness of bowel action;

in what is passed, including bleeding or mucus

Rectal bleeding with no straining, pain, soreness, lumpiness, swelling or itching
Rectal bleeding if you are over 55 – piles may be masking more serious problems
Unexplained anaemia and/or severe gut pain

Who Is At Risk?

The exact cause remains unknown. However, there are certain factors that make people at risk: -

Age Colorectal cancer can develop in men and women of any age, but it tends to be a disease of late middle and old age. In this country, around 75% of cases occur in people over the age of 50 (the average age being 70) who have no particular family history that would influence their risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Family History In the UK, 5 to 10% of all people diagnosed with colorectal cancer have a family history of the disease. There may be genetic conditions that greatly influence the risk of developing the disease. Often, if there is a history of colorectal cancer within a family, the disease appears at an earlier age (under 45 years) and affects two or more close relatives (parent, brother, sister). Sometimes, these may be linked to other cancers such as stomach, kidney, bladder, breast, ovaries or endometrium (uterus).
Inflammatory bowel disease People who have an inflammatory bowel disease or those who have a tendency to develop polyps may have an increased susceptibility to developing colorectal cancer.
Lifestyle Increasing evidence shows that a diet high in fat and low in vegetables combined with sedentary lifestyle can increase the risk of developing the disease.

Importance of early detection

Patients whose cancer has not spread beyond the inner lining of the bowel have a much higher chance of successful treatment compared to those whose cancer has become more widespread. Early diagnosis is therefore important.
If you notice any symptoms or are in the ‘at risk’ group then monitor your motions and discuss the changes with your GP.