‘I’m a doctor – here are four bowel cancer symptoms often dismissed’

There are more than 200 types of cancer that can affect the human body. The type depends on where it starts.

Some types are more common than others. In the UK, breast and prostate cancer affect the largest proportion of cancer patients.

Among the other most common types of the disease in the UK is bowel cancer, which accounts for around 11 percent of all cancer diagnoses. It also has a high mortality rate, causing around 16,000 deaths annually.

Therefore, being aware of any of the warning signs could be life-saving.

Speaking on social media platform TikTok, Doctor Joe Whittington, revealed four key symptoms of colon cancer – a cancer that starts in the large bowel.

He said these were cancer symptoms “that people often dismiss” in a message to his more than 48 million followers.

Pencil thin stools

If you notice your stools are “unusually thin”, this could signal bowel cancer.

Dr Joe said: “This could be a sign of a mass in the colon due to cancer. It’s not just about the size. Shape matters too.”

This symptom is also flagged by the Mayo Clinic in the US.

Writing for its website, gastroenterologist Elizabeth Rajan explained:”Narrow stools that happen now and then probably are harmless.

“But in some cases, narrow stools — especially if pencil thin — may be a sign that the colon is narrowing or has a blockage. And that could be due to colon cancer.”

Feeling of incomplete emptying

If you go to the toilet but don’t feel like you were able to properly empty your bowels you should speak to your GP.

Dr Joe said: “That feeling can be subtle but a significant sign of colon cancer, as it can mimic the feeling of constipation.”

According to experts at the Royal Marsden hospital, a feeling that you haven’t completely emptied your bowels is “quite common” if the tumour is in the rectum.

“This can be uncomfortable and you may constantly feel the urge to go to the toilet,” they say.

Back pain

Back pain is a common ailment often caused by age or general strain. However, it could also signify something more sinister.

“This happens when a tumour in the colon presses on surrounding tissues and nerves, or if cancer spreads to the spine or pelvis,” Dr Joe said.

Medical News Today describes this as a “rare” symptom of bowel cancer but a symptom nonetheless.

Blood in the stool

Finally, Dr Joe added: “There are a lot of causes for blood in the stool, but with cancer it could indicate tumours that are bleeding as they grow.”

He warned: “Clearly, these symptoms can be other things and not cancerous, and sometimes nothing at all.

“But if they’re persistent, make sure you talk to your doctor about getting a screening colonoscopy.”

The NHS lists symptoms of bowel cancer as:

• Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
• Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
• Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
• Bleeding from your bottom
• Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been to the toilet
• Tummy pain
• A lump in your tummy
• Bloating
• Losing weight without trying
• Feeling very tired for no reason.

You should see your GP if you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more.