Symptoms of bowel cancer: FIVE signs YOU could have the disease

BOWEL cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer - mostly affecting people over the age of 60. The condition has been linked to diet, smoking and ageing - but many people don't know the symptoms.

The condition is the third most common cancer in the UK and although the exact cause of the disease is unknown, there are factors which can make developing the cancer more likely.

Bowel cancer is a disease which is easily treatable if it is caught early.

Screening tests are offered to people in England over the age of sixty - but knowing the symptoms could help save lives.

NHS Choices said that while bowel cancer can be symptomless and doesn’t necessarily make people feel ill, experts suggest more than 90 per cent of people with bowel cancer will experience symptoms.

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Bowel cancer symptoms: Seven signs of the disease

There are five key symptoms which could be an indicator of bowel cancer. 

The high risk symptoms include: 

A change in bowel habit

There are a few ways in which your bowel habit can change.

While most people experience changes in their bowel habits, if the number of times people pass a stool changes or whether the consistency of stools has change it could be an indicator of the disease. This could include persistent constipation or diarrhoea.

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Bowel cancer symptoms: A change in bowel habit can indicate the disease