Bowel cancer: Alan Titchmarsh urges public to do screening test
At 35 years old, Candance Henley was diagnosed with bowel cancer, proving it’s not an “old man’s disease”. Appearing on Good Morning America, Candance, now 55, stated that she ignored her symptoms until the pain got so bad that she “couldn’t stand up”. Candace said: “Finally, one of my cousins said, ‘That’s it. We’re going to the emergency room.'”
Diagnosed with the life-threatening disease, Candace said she “would do whatever” she needed to do so that others don’t go through the same “trauma”.
Creating The Blue Hat Foundation in 2015, Candace aims to raise awareness about cancer.
In partnership with the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium and the University of Illinois Cancer Center, the team are raising awareness about bowel screening.
“The American Cancer Society and The USPSTF have now recommended screening for colorectal [bowel] cancer to start at age 45,” the charity notes.
In the UK, bowel cancer screening is available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years old.
The NHS adds: “The programme is expanding to make it available to everyone aged 50 to 59 years.
“This is happening gradually over four years and started in April 2021.”
In the meantime, any symptoms of bowel cancer should be reported to your doctor – regardless of your age.
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The Blue Hat Foundation pointed out four possible symptoms of bowel cancer:
- Blood in stool
- Abdominal cramping or pain
- Unintentional weight loss
- A change in bowel movements.
Other symptoms can include fatigue, anaemia and persistent bloating.
Bowel Cancer UK expanded on the symptoms of bowel cancer to be aware of.
For instance, a change in bowel habits could mean having “looser poo” or needing to poo “more often than normal”.
The charity added: “You may feel as though you’re not going to the toilet often enough, or that you’re not fully emptying your bowels.”
As for unintended weight loss, the charity advises: “Speak to your GP if you have lost weight and you don’t know why.
“You may not feel like eating if you feel sick, bloated or if you just don’t feel hungry.”
When there is abdominal pain, there might also be a lump in the stomach area or back passage.
Bowel Cancer UK says: “See your GP if these symptoms don’t go away or if they’re affecting how you sleep or eat.”
Bright red blood, or black blood, when defecating should be alarming and reported to your doctor.
In some circumstances, it could be due to haemorrhoids or non-cancerous growths called polyps.
“Bowel cancer screening programmes in the UK test for hidden blood in poo,” Bowel Cancer UK adds.
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