Skip to content Skip to main menu Skip to utility menu

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

April 1, 2022

This month is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month which aims to raise awareness of bowel cancer and vital funds to support our work.

Did you know:

  • Every 15 minutes somebody is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK, that’s nearly 43,000 people each year. It’s the fourth most common cancer
  • Bowel cancer is more common in the over 50s but it can affect people of all ages
  • Bowel cancer is the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. However it shouldn’t be because it is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early
  • Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage. However this drops significantly as the disease develops. Early diagnosis really does save lives

Know the symptoms for you and your patients:

  • Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
  • A persistent and unexplained change in bowel habit
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
  • A pain or lump in your tummy

Do remember – many people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer as other health problems can cause similar symptoms. However, it is always good to remember if you have one or more of these symptoms, or if things just don’t feel right, book an appointment to see your see your GP or call NHS 111.