Remain vigilant to the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer

People are being warned to remain vigilant to the signs and symptoms of the killer bowel cancer during this month’s Bowel Cancer Awareness Month.

Remaining the UK’s second biggest cancer killer, nearly 50 people in the UK die every day from the disease.

Now a new awareness campaign is running with national charity Beating Bowel Cancer, aiming to encourage people to make sure they are aware of the symptoms and to reduce their risk of developing the cancer by maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Common symptoms include:

A persistent change in bowel habit
Bleeding from the bottom without any obvious reason
Abdominal pain, especially if severe
A lump in your tummy

Public Health Adviser with NHS Somerset, Matthew Dominey said:“We all experience problems with our bottoms and bowels from time to time and usually there’s nothing to worry about. However, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer and if you have noticed high risk symptoms for four to six weeks, you should visit your local pharmacist or GP immediately.”

“Other symptoms to be aware of include unexplained anaemia causing tiredness or weight loss. Although in most cases it won’t be cancer, if you have one or more of these symptoms for more than four to six weeks, get checked out. Your pharmacist can provide a leaflet which you can take with you to the doctors if it helps you explain the problem.”

Fore more information, visit: www.beatingbowelcancer.org