Time to talk bums, bottoms, derrieres – whatever you call yours! “If it’s a loved one you are worried about, nag them until they get checked out.” One in 18 people will get bowel cancer in their lifetime. It’s the UK’s second biggest cancer killer and most common in people over 50, although it can occur in younger people. However, if caught early, there’s a 90 per cent chance of successful treatment.
Peter Harris was looking forward to riding his favourite horse more when he retired as a headteacher five years ago. So the 65-year-old grandfather of two ignored the changes in his bowel habits and his sudden weight loss, which he put down to being more active. “As time went on, it got worse and worse. I had pain in the lower abdomen and real difficulty going to the toilet. When I finally plucked up the courage to visit my GP, I was expecting to be told I had irritable bowel syndrome.” In fact, Peter had bowel cancer and after being fasttracked for tests and further scans, he had his tumour successfully removed by keyhole surgery. He was home two days later. He said: “All I was left with was four little nicks on my belly. What I imagined was far worse than what actually happened. “I’m fighting fit and fully active. I have six monthly check-ups but I feel great.” Peter is now backing an NHS campaign to get people talking about their bowels.
Dr Alison Barnett, Director of Public Health for Medway, said: “Screening is now routinely available for everyone in their 60s in Medway. “Catching bowel cancer early dramatically increases the chances of successful treatment and I would urge everyone invited for screening to act. Screening saves lives.” The NHS Bowel Screening programme is available for everyone aged 60 to 69. Anyone older than 70 can also request a kit by calling freephone 0800 707 6060 or visiting www.nhs.uk/bowelcancer for more details.
Red flag symptoms You should talk to your GP if you have any of the following symptoms? • Bleeding from the bottom or blood in your poo. • Changes in your bowel habits that last more than three weeks. • Lump in your tummy. • Straining feeling after you have visited the loo. • Persistent pain in your tummy or bottom.
“I was lucky – things could have turned out very differently. My advice is: go to your GP as soon as you suspect a problem. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s better to find out sooner when you can do something about it.
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• Unexplained tiredness, weight loss, breathlessness or anaemia.