About this information

This NHS content is written for people in England. Services, entitlements and contact routes may differ in other countries.

Symptoms of bowel cancer

Symptoms

Tests and next steps for bowel cancer

Diagnosis

Treatment for bowel cancer

Medical treatments

Causes of bowel cancer

Causes

Symptoms of bowel cancer include changes in your poo, blood in your poo, bleeding from your bottom, tummy pain, and losing weight.

The main test for bowel cancer is a colonoscopy. This is where a thin tube with a camera is used to look inside your bowel.

Treatment for bowel cancer may include a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted medicines and immunotherapy.

It's not always known why bowel cancer happens, but it can be caused by genetic changes, your lifestyle and certain health conditions.

Main symptoms of bowel cancer

Symptoms of bowel cancer may include:

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 or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer

When and where to get medical help

If you have symptoms of bowel cancer, it's important to get checked. If it is bowel cancer, finding it early can make it easier to treat.

See a GP if:

you have any symptoms of bowel cancer for 3 weeks or more

Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms.

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

your poo is black or dark red
you have bloody diarrhoea

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

you're bleeding non-stop from your bottom
there's a lot of blood, for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots

Find your nearest A&E

A&E safety messaging

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

Who is more likely to get bowel cancer

It's not always known what causes bowel cancer, but it can be caused by genetic changes, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Having certain health conditions can also make you more likely to get bowel cancer.

You may be more likely to get bowel cancer if:

you're over 50
you smoke
you're overweight
a close relative has had bowel cancer
you have inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
you have small growths in your bowel called bowel polyps
you have Lynch Syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis

How to lower your risk of bowel cancer

You cannot always prevent bowel cancer, but there are things you can do to lower your chance of getting it.

Do

eat a healthy diet including at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day
stay active and exercise regularly
lose weight if you're overweight
quit smoking
drink less alcohol
eat less red and processed meat

Main tests for bowel cancer

If a GP refers you to a specialist because they think you could have bowel cancer, you'll have tests to check for cancer.

The main test for bowel cancer is a colonoscopy. This is where a thin, flexible, tube with a camera is used to look inside your bowel.

It may be uncomfortable but it should not be painful. You'll be offered a sedative and painkillers to help make you feel more comfortable.

During the colonoscopy, a small sample of the lining of your bowel may be taken for testing (called a biopsy)

Main treatments for bowel cancer

The treatment you'll have for bowel cancer depends on:

the size of the cancer
if the cancer is in your colon or rectum, or both
if it has spread to other parts of your body
if the cancer has certain genetic changes
your age and general health

You may be offered a combination of treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted medicines.

Your specialist treatment team will:

explain the treatments, the benefits and side effects
work with you to make a treatment plan that's best for you
help you to manage the side effects of treatment

If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team.

Where to find help and support

If you have bowel cancer, your specialist treatment team will be there to support you throughout your treatment. They will also be able to give you information about local support services you may find helpful.

There are also national cancer charities that can offer support and information about bowel cancer.

Bowel Cancer UK

Information and support for anyone affected by bowel cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support

Information and support for anyone affected by cancer.

Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 808 00 00
Macmillan Cancer Support: support line service
Macmillan Cancer Support: find local support services

Cancer Research UK