Don't Wait Until It's Too Late – Know the signs of bowel cancer
Bowel cancer is Australia’s second biggest cancer killer!
1 in 13 Australians will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime.
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer or colon cancer, is cancer in any part of the colon or rectum. It affects men and women, young and old and often develops without any warning signs.
But 90% of cases can be treated successfully if detected early.
So... Don’t wait until it’s too late and learn what to look out for!
Signs that you may have bowel cancer:
Change in habit
A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool, that lasts longer than four weeks.
Change in shape or appearance
For example, narrower stools than usual or mucus in stools.
Blood
Bright red or very dark blood in the stool or rectal bleeding should never be ignored.
Frequent gas & bloating
A feeling of fullness or bloating in the bowel or rectum.
Also feeling that the bowel has not emptied completely after a bowel movement and cramping.
Unexplained anaemia
A low red blood count causing tiredness, weakness or weight loss.
Pain or swelling
If you are experiencing abdominal pain or swelling or rectal/anal pain, or a lump in the rectum/anus this may be a sign of bowel cancer.
Don’t wait until it’s too late!
Not everyone experiences all the symptoms, particularly in the early stages of bowel cancer.
The above symptoms may be suggestive of bowel cancer, but they can also be due to other medical conditions, some foods or medicines.
If you have any concerns or if you are experiencing any of the signs of bowel cancer for two weeks or more, please don't delay, book in with your GP today. When diagnosed early 90 percent of cases can be successfully treated.
4 practices delivering ‘high quality health care’ across the Central Coast
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