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What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer. It can start in either the large bowel or the rectum.
Early bowel cancer may not cause any symptoms at all. This is why it is important to know the warning signs and speak to a GP if anything changes.
Common symptoms to look out for
The most common symptom is a change in your bowel habits. This might mean diarrhoea, constipation, or needing to open your bowels more or less often than usual.
You may also notice blood in your poo, or bleeding from the bottom. Sometimes the blood looks bright red, but it can also make your poo look darker than normal.
Another common sign is persistent tummy pain, discomfort, or bloating. Some people feel like they still need to poo after going to the toilet.
Other possible symptoms
Bowel cancer can sometimes cause unexplained weight loss. This means losing weight without trying to diet or exercise more.
You may also feel unusually tired or short of energy. This can happen if the cancer causes bleeding that leads to anaemia.
A lump in the tummy or back passage can sometimes be felt, although this is less common. Any new lump should always be checked by a doctor.
Symptoms that can affect the bowel movement
If bowel cancer narrows the bowel, poo may become thinner than usual. Some people also find it harder to pass stools or feel constipated for longer than normal.
These symptoms can happen for many reasons, not just cancer. But if they are new, persistent, or getting worse, they should be discussed with a GP.
When to see a GP
See a GP if you have blood in your poo, a change in bowel habits, or tummy pain that does not go away. It is especially important if symptoms last for three weeks or more.
You should also get medical advice if you feel tired all the time, are losing weight without explanation, or notice a lump. Do not wait for symptoms to become severe before asking for help.
Why early action matters
Bowel cancer is easier to treat when it is found early. Many of the symptoms can also be caused by less serious conditions, but only a doctor can tell for sure.
If you are worried, book an appointment with your GP. Seeking help early gives you the best chance of getting the right diagnosis and treatment quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common bowel cancer symptoms include a persistent change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain or cramping, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and a feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.
Bowel cancer symptoms often start gradually and may be subtle at first, such as a small change in bowel habit, mild abdominal discomfort, or occasional bleeding that can be mistaken for something less serious.
Yes, bowel cancer symptoms can sometimes resemble irritable bowel syndrome, especially early on, because both can cause changes in bowel habits, bloating, and abdominal discomfort. Persistent or worsening symptoms should be checked by a clinician.
No, blood in the stool can have many causes, including hemorrhoids, fissures, and infections. However, blood in the stool is one of the bowel cancer symptoms that should be medically assessed, especially if it keeps happening.
Yes, bowel cancer symptoms can include constipation, particularly if it is new, persistent, or associated with other changes such as abdominal pain, narrow stools, or bleeding.
Yes, bowel cancer symptoms can include diarrhea or looser stools, especially if the change lasts more than a few weeks or alternates with constipation.
Yes, abdominal pain, cramping, bloating, or discomfort can be bowel cancer symptoms, although these symptoms are also common in many other conditions.
Yes, unexplained weight loss can be one of the bowel cancer symptoms, particularly when it happens alongside appetite loss, fatigue, or changes in bowel habits.
Yes, fatigue can be a bowel cancer symptom, often because of hidden blood loss leading to anemia or because the body is affected by the cancer itself.
Yes, a persistent feeling that the bowel has not fully emptied, sometimes called tenesmus, can be one of the bowel cancer symptoms.
Bowel cancer symptoms are generally similar in men and women. The main warning signs include persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue.
Yes, bowel cancer symptoms can sometimes come and go, which can make them easy to ignore. Even if symptoms are intermittent, persistent recurrence should be checked.
No, bowel cancer symptoms are not always severe at first. Many people notice mild or vague symptoms early on, which is why ongoing changes should not be dismissed.
Yes, pencil-thin or narrower stools can be one of the bowel cancer symptoms, especially if the change is new and persistent.
Bowel cancer symptoms should be checked by a doctor if they last more than a few weeks, get worse, or include rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, persistent pain, or a major change in bowel habits.
Yes, bowel cancer symptoms can occur without pain. Some people first notice bleeding, anemia, or changes in bowel habits before any abdominal discomfort appears.
Low iron itself is not a bowel cancer symptom, but unexplained iron-deficiency anemia can be a sign of bowel cancer because hidden bleeding from the bowel may cause it.
No, bowel cancer symptoms do not always mean cancer, because many harmless or treatable conditions can cause similar signs. However, persistent symptoms should be evaluated to rule out serious causes.
Yes, bowel cancer symptoms can happen in younger adults as well as older adults. Although bowel cancer is more common with age, persistent symptoms in any adult should be taken seriously.
Emergency warning signs related to bowel cancer symptoms include severe abdominal pain, a swollen belly, vomiting with inability to pass stool or gas, heavy rectal bleeding, or signs of collapse or fainting. These need urgent medical attention.
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