As I’m A Celeb’s Adele Roberts is diagnosed with bowel cancer at 42 – the 10 signs to never ignore
BOWEL cancer can strike at any age, but knowing the signs can help catch it early.
I'm A Celeb's Adele Roberts revealed this weekend she had the disease to spread awareness of what to look out for.
Alongside a picture of her in a hospital gown giving a thumbs up, she wrote: "Ok, there’s no easy way to do this and it feels weird, especially posting on social media (I’m going full Black Mirror) but I’m hoping it’ll reach anyone who might benefit from seeing it or reading it.
The Radio presenter said it had "all happened so quickly" before adding: "PLEASE make sure you get checked out if you have ANY concerns. The sooner you’re able to see your GP or talk to someone the sooner you can get help. If I hadn’t I might not be so lucky.
"As I’ve learned over the last few weeks, there’s no ‘normal’ with cancer.
"Sadly it can affect anyone, at any age, anytime. It doesn’t discriminate. Early detection can save your life."
Bowel cancer starts in the large intestines, and is also referred to as colon or colorectal cancer, because it can also affect the colon and rectum.
Most bowel cancers develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps.
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Not all will turn cancerous, but if your doctor finds any, they will tend to remove them to prevent cancer.
The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Other signs of bowel cancer include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo
A number of tests are used to diagnose bowel cancer, starting with a simple examination of the bottom called a digital rectal examination.
The NHS says people might find such tests embarrassing and uncomfortable. But don't let this put you off getting help as soon as symptoms show.
Bowel cancer is treatable and can be cured, particularly if it is diagnosed early enough.
More than nine out of 10 people with stage 1 bowel cancer - the least serious form - survive five years or longer after they are diagnosed.
However, this survival rate does drop significantly the longer a person has the disease before diagnosis.
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You are at greater risk if you are over 50, have a family history of the disease, lead an unhealthy lifestyle or have type 2 diabetes.
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Bowel cancer is the fourth most common form of the disease in the UK, with 42,000 people diagnosed every year, according to Bowel Cancer UK.
More than 94 per cent of new cases are in people over the age of 50, while nearly 59 per cent are in the over 70s.
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