Deborah James discusses 'scary' bowel cancer symptoms

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While a few bowel cancer symptoms can be considered as “embarrassing”, there’s nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to saving your own life – your loved ones will be grateful you spoke openly about your health to your doctor. One indication of bowel cancer is bleeding from your rectum (i.e. your bottom), or finding blood in your poo, confirmed Bowel Cancer UK. Rectal bleeding can lead to blood on the toilet paper, red streaks on the outside of your faeces, or having pink water in the toilet bowel.

The NHS added that “very dark, smelly poo” could also be a sign of internal bleeding.

“A small amount of one-off bleeding can often go away on its own without needing treatment,” the national health body stated.

However, if you’ve noticed blood on the toilet paper, in the toilet bowel, or on your poo for three weeks or more, book a doctor’s appointment.

Another possible sign of bowel cancer is “a persistent and unexplained change in bowel habits”, the charity added.

This could mean you’re experiencing prolonged diarrhoea, more frequent bathroom trips, and a sense of unease.

“You might not feel as though you’re not fully emptying your bowels,” Bowel Cancer UK elaborated.

Getting comfortable with discussing your bowel habits will put you in good stead should issues arise.

In terms of bowel cancer, it’s super important to pay attention to what comes out of you.

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Moving away from the toilet talk, bowel cancer can also lead to unexplained weight loss.

This means you’ve been dropping the pounds without changing your diet or exercise regime.

“This is less common than some of the other symptoms,” the charity pointed out.

“You may not feel like eating if you feel sick, bloated or if you just don’t feel hungry.”

Bowel cancer can also lead to feelings of extreme tiredness for no apparent reason.

“Bowel cancer may lead to a lack of iron in the body, which can cause anaemia (lack of red blood cells),” the charity explained.

“If you have anaemia, you are likely to feel very tired and your skin may look pale.”

One other indication of bowel cancer is if you feel pain, or a lump, in your stomach.

These symptoms can be attributed to other health conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

However, in order for an accurate diagnosis to be made, you must first book a doctor’s appointment.

Whether it’s on the phone, across a screen, or in person, you will need to discuss your symptoms openly and honestly.

From there tests can be arranged to uncover the root cause of your problems.

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