Bowel Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Bowel cancer is the UK’s second most common cause of cancer death, with over 42,000 people diagnosed each year, however if it is caught early, survival rates exceed 90%. This article breaks down what bowel cancer actually is, who’s most at risk (from age and family history to lifestyle factors), and the symptoms that warrant a GP visit, including changes in bowel habits, blood in your stool, and unexplained weight loss. It also covers how diagnosis works, from FIT tests to colonoscopy, and the range of treatments available, from surgery and chemotherapy to targeted therapies. If bowel cancer runs in your family, you may be entitled to earlier screening. Here is what to know and how to take the first step.