Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK – but if detected early, it can often be successfully treated.

Symptoms can be subtle and do not necessarily make you feel ill, according to NHS guidance.

But 90% of people with bowel cancer have at least one of the following combinations of symptoms:

  • A persistent change in bowel habit – pooing more often, with looser, runnier poos and sometimes stomach pain
  • Blood in the poo without other symptoms of piles
  • Abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating and sometimes resulting in a reduction of food eaten and weight loss

Read more: People waiting too long for bowel cancer tests

Most people with the symptoms do not have bowel cancer but the NHS advises contacting a GP if any symptoms persist for three weeks or more.

In some cases, bowel cancer stops digestive waste passing through the bowel – this is known as a bowel obstruction and is considered a medical emergency.

Symptoms include:

  • Intermittent and occasionally severe abdominal pain, always brought on by eating
  • Unintentional weight loss with persistent abdominal pain
  • Constant swelling of the stomach with abdominal pain
  • Being sick with constant abdominal swelling

If you suspect your bowel is obstructed, the NHS recommends visiting the nearest A&E.

For more information on bowel cancer, visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk.