Do you know
your sh*t?
Find all the information you might need on
bowel cancer symptoms and procedures
What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) develops when abnormal cells in the bowel begin to grow and divide uncontrollably. These changes often start with polyps: small growths on the lining of the bowel (like skin tags). Most polyps are harmless, but some can become cancerous over time if not identified and removed.
Nearly 44,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year. It’s the second biggest cancer killer in the country—and the leading cause of cancer death among non-smokers.
But here’s the good news: over 90% of cases can be successfully treated when caught early.
Roughly 1 in 17 men and 1 in 20 women in the UK will be diagnosed with bowel cancer in their lifetime. Knowing the signs, attending screenings, and acting quickly can save lives.
Did you know...
...more than 4 in 10 people can’t name a single symptom of bowel cancer. When it comes to bowel cancer, knowledge is power. We need to be in the know so we can have a better chance of catching any symptoms early.
Think you know your sh*t? Test your knowledge with our quick symptom quiz below!
Hear from our experts
We know that you need voices you can trust, especially when it comes to bowel cancer and your health. That's why we work with real health professionals who are actively working in the field, so you can feel comfortable trusting expert advice on all things bowel health. Check out these informative resources from our Chief Medical Officer and Colorectal Surgeon, Dr James Kinross.
The symptoms
Bleeding from your bottom
Unexplained or sudden weight loss
A pain or lump in your tummy
Blood in or around your poo
Persistent & unexplained change in bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation)
Extreme fatigue for no obvious reason
Poop, prep and procedures
The best and most efficient way of diagnosing bowel cancer early is (1) through checking your poo for any signs of blood, and (2) through a qFIT test. A Faecal Immunochemical Test vigorously checks poo samples for signs of blood, which is a key indicator of bowel cancer.
qFIT tests save countless lives through early detection each year, and the NHS starts screening at 50 years of age. However, due to stigma, embarrassment and worry, around 40% of people aged 50-59 don’t partake in their bowel cancer screening, leaving countless people in the dark, not getting the help they need.
Aged 45-49?
This Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, we’re proud to be partnering with 40tude, which is championing the early detection of colon (bowel) cancer. This month, we’re helping 40tude provide 1000 free at home qFIT tests to people within the 45-49 demographic, who don’t yet benefit from the NHS bowel cancer screening process (50-74 years old).
Ready to grab bowel health by the horns with an at home qFIT test?