Almost 1 in 2 UK adults cannot name single symptom of bowel cancer, study finds

Practically 50 % of United kingdom grown ups cannot title a one symptom of bowel most cancers, in accordance to new research by Bowel Most cancers Uk.

The charity said it was “shocked” by the absence of awareness among the general public and has urged men and women suffering from symptoms to arrive ahead and get checked.

Nearly 43,000 individuals are identified with bowel cancer every year. Following lung cancer, the disorder is the most frequent trigger of cancer fatalities in the Uk, getting all around 16,500 lives each individual year.

A study of 2,083 older people has found that 45 per cent of people today can not identify any signs of the illness, even though just 35 per cent could identify the major “red flag” symptom, which is blood in faeces.

Men were being substantially significantly less possible to be capable to establish a symptom, with 55 for each cent failing to name any as opposed to 36 for every cent of gals.

Other indicators of bowel cancer include a change in bowel habits, soreness in the stomach, excess weight decline and unexplained fatigue. The charity reported an “alarmingly low” variety of men and women are knowledgeable of these.

A single in 8 individuals (12 for each cent) knew a change in bowel behavior is joined to the condition, when 92 per cent did not know unexplained weight decline could be a symptom.

Dr Lisa Wilde, director of exploration and external affairs at Bowel Cancer Uk commented: “While the condition mainly affects people today around the age of 50, far more than 2,600 under 50s are diagnosed every single yr, so it’s actually crucial folks seek out advice as before long as doable – whatsoever their age – if they are nervous.”

The govt has opened a simply call for evidence to notify an future 10-year most cancers program which will glimpse at how technologies are utilized in cure and how to improve affected individual activities. It was owing to near on Friday but has been extended for a different 7 days.

“It is very clear from these results that this strategy ought to include action to raise recognition of indicators of bowel cancer, and motivate men and women to find support as early as feasible,” Wilde claimed.

If caught early on, bowel cancer can be treated, with nearly everybody diagnosed at an early phase surviving, Bowel Cancer Uk stated.

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This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, which began on Friday 1 April, the charity is urging absolutely everyone with any of the important indications to get a well being check.

Awareness of the ailment is beginning to increase, with BBC Radio 1 presenter Adele Roberts sharing updates of her journey with bowel most cancers on social media subsequent her shock prognosis in Oct 2021.

Roberts claimed she 1st discovered a alter when likely to the rest room. “I observed mucus at initially and then I commenced to notice a bit of blood and it started off to get a bit additional regular,” she mentioned.

Dr Philippa Kaye, a GP, author and bowel cancer affected individual, reported it can be overwhelming to pay a visit to your doctor with indications, but persons ought to not feel humiliated.

“Please don’t come to feel humiliated, don’t ignore any indicators and really do not set it off,” she reported.

“As GPs we are utilised to observing heaps of persons with bowel problems and if you are worried that a thing is completely wrong we want to see you. Early prognosis could save your life.”