Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK
Bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease, but it’s often known as a “silent killer” as obvious symptoms don’t tend to present themselves in its early stages. However early detection is crucial, as the quicker the cancer is detected, the greater chance of survival.
Cancer Research UK indicates that bowel cancer accounts for 16,808 deaths annually, with roughly 44,100 new cases diagnosed each year – around 120 each day. This week the NHS has started to issue at-home bowel cancer testing kits, in a drive to detect more cases.
The scheme expansion will send test kits to hundreds of thousands more individuals, now including people aged 50 in England. An NHS spokesperson said: “The kit, known as the faecal immunochemical test (FIT), checks for blood in a small stool sample, which can be a sign of bowel cancer… Results are sent back to participants, along with information about further tests, if needed.”
Spotting bowel cancer promptly significantly betters the prospect of successful treatment. Common symptoms to watch for include blood in stools or rectal bleeding, bowel habit alterations such as constipation or diarrhoea, unaccountable weight loss, severe fatigue, and pain or a mass in the abdomen.
However, there’s one less common symptom that can occur while you’re in bed: Night sweats could be a sign of advanced bowel cancer, particularly if they occur alongside other symptoms like unexplained weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, or blood in the stool, which could suggest the cancer is at an advanced stage.
Night sweats might occur when your immune system is battling hard against cancer, especially if you’re also running a fever. As a result, your body may sweat more than usual to help cool itself down.
However, night sweats alone are not typically a clear indicator of bowel cancer and can be caused by various other factors. Therefore, it’s crucial to consult a doctor if you experience them.
Night sweats can be triggered by a range of issues, including infections, hormonal changes such as those during menopause, certain medications, and stress. If you’re concerned about night sweats, especially if they’re associated with other potential cancer symptoms, it’s advisable to book an appointment with your doctor for a check-up.
Your doctor may carry out physical exams, blood tests, imaging scans (like a colonoscopy), or other evaluations to determine what’s causing your night sweats.
It’s crucial to remember that the main signs of colorectal or bowel cancer can differ, particularly in severe cases. Moreover, those who experience periods might wrongly associate some of these symptoms with menstrual discomfort.
Similarly, individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may also encounter comparable symptoms.