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Symptoms of bowel cancer may include:
Try not to be embarrassed. The doctor or nurse will be used to talking about these symptoms.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Some of these symptoms are very common and can be caused by other conditions.
Having the symptoms does not definitely mean you have bowel cancer, but it's important to get checked by a GP.
If your symptoms are caused by cancer, finding it early may mean it's easier to treat.
The doctor will ask you more about your symptoms, general health, medical history, and if anyone in your family has had bowel cancer.
Depending on your symptoms, the doctor may feel your tummy and ask to do a rectal examination. This is where they put a gloved finger inside your bottom to check for any lumps.
You'll be asked to undress from the waist down for the rectal exam. You can ask for a male or female doctor or nurse.
You can ask for someone else to be in the room with you when the rectal examination happens.
You may be asked for a poo sample (stool sample) for testing, or be given a home test kit called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), to collect a small sample of poo and send it to a lab. These check if you're bleeding from your bowel, which can be a sign of bowel cancer.
You may also be asked to have a blood test.
The GP may refer you for more tests or to see a specialist in hospital if they think you have symptoms that need to be investigated.
This may be an urgent referral, usually within 2 weeks, if you have certain symptoms. This does not definitely mean you have cancer.
