Four red flag signs to look out for when using the toilet

You can spot early bowel cancer problems by looking for four symptoms when you go to the bathroom.

Problems like everyday stomach aches or fatigue could be signs of undiagnosed cancer. The earlier you catch the key signs, the easier it will be to treat.

Those who have experienced the symptoms listed by the official NHS website for more than three weeks are urged to talk to a doctor, especially if there is blood in the stool or bowel problems that are not usually treated.

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A list of symptoms warned that “changes in your poo, such as softer poo, diarrhea or constipation that is not usual for you”, could be a factor in early signs of bowel cancer. The list also confirmed “the need to poo more or less often”, “blood in the poo, which may appear red or black” and “bleeding from the bottom” as potential signs of bowel cancer, the Mirror reported .

Other signs included “often feeling like you have to poop, even though you’ve just been to the toilet,” as well as stomach pain or a lump in your belly. Bloating and losing weight without trying were also considerable signs that the public were advised to take action on.

NHS guidelines suggest seeing a GP if symptoms have persisted for three weeks. An urgent GP appointment has been suggested for those who may have ‘black or dark red’ poo or experience ‘bloody diarrhoea’. Immediate medical attention by calling 999 was highlighted if you are “bleeding non-stop from your butt” or “there is a lot of blood”.

The site added: “Some of these symptoms are very common and may be caused by other conditions. Having symptoms does not necessarily mean you have bowel cancer, but it is important to be checked by a family doctor. If the symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early can mean it’s easier to treat.”

Almost 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in the UK, with around 85% classified as microsatellite stable (MSS). Immunotherapy treatments are being tested and offer new hope to cancer patients as biomedical scientists hail “incredibly exciting” results in treating bowel cancer. Botensilimab and balstilimab could ‘offer new hope’ to those diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, said: “These results are incredibly exciting. Colorectal or intestinal cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer worldwide, and this is the first time there is convincing evidence that immunotherapy can work. in all forms of colorectal tumors, so this can be a game changer. This is now in the later phase of clinical trials and we hope that the FDA in the United States will approve its use very soon people, we hope that the authorities in the UK are also able to move quickly.”

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