Dame Deborah James worked tirelessly after her bowel cancer diagnosis to raise awareness about the disease – but it would eventually claim the journalist’s life in 2022
Bowel cancer: Cancer Research explain the key symptoms
The NHS has urged Brits “not to feel embarrassed about poo” as key changes to toilet habits are often symptoms of bowel cancer.
More than 44,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, but catching it quickly and before serious symptoms start is the best way to boost survival.
And now the screening age for the illness will be lowered from 60 to 50, following tireless campaigning by journalist and podcast host Dame Deborah James, who died of the disease aged 40 in June 2022.
Early screening is increasingly important as cases of the disease are rising in younger adults and millions of pounds from Dame James’ Bowelbabe charity fund are supporting research into why this is the case.
The faecal immunochemical test (FIT) checks for blood in the poo. Patients use a small stick to take a stool sample when they go to the toilet, then bottle it and send it to NHS labs for testing. Ninety-eight per cent get the all-clear.
The NHS list several symptoms of bowel cancer. However, a boss told The Sun chances of surviving the cancer are boosted if these signs are spotted early and people are tested. The NHS will now send out millions of free screening kits for people to use at home.
“Thousands of people in England develop bowel cancer each year and there are concerns it is becoming more common for people in their 50s,” NHS England’s cancer director Prof Peter Johnson said.
“The chances of surviving are very good when it is caught early. This is why the NHS is sending out millions of free screening kits for people to use at home. There is no need to feel embarrassed about poo. The test is quick and simple so please do return your FIT kit if you are sent one.”
List of bowel cancer symptoms
- Weight loss without trying
- Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been to the toilet
- Needing to poo more or less often than usual
If you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more, the NHS advises you to see your GP. It reassures you to try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms.
In the rare case you’re bleeding non-stop from your bottom, or if there’s a lot of blood, for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots, you should go to A&E.
The NHS says, in these instances, you should not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance, the webste reads.