Bowel cancer's six 'hard to spot' symptoms that you shouldn't ignore

Health experts are urging the public to stay vigilant for any changes in toilet habits that might indicate bowel cancer.It comes as Bowel Cancer UK have highlighted that this disease is the fourth most common cancer in Britain, with nearly 43,000 people diagnosed annually.Although potentially deadly, early detection of bowel cancer can lead to a complete recovery.

Symptoms often mistaken for less serious conditions such as diarrhoea or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) should not be ignored.Cancer Research UK reveals that over 94% of new bowel cancer cases occur in individuals aged over 50, and astonishingly, 54 percent of these cases could be prevented.Health experts shared insights on bowel cancer as reported by the Mirror, including symptoms that are difficult to detect.The NHS lists the most prevalent warning signs of bowel cancer, which include:Dr Luke Pratsides, a leading GP at Numan, advised: "There are some important signs and symptoms to look out for with regards to bowel cancer which include: noticing blood in your stool, a change in your bowel habit with regard to diarrhoea or constipation that persists for more than four weeks, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain and the feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty."He emphasised: "If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important you see your GP urgently for further investigation."Bowel cancer symptoms can be elusive and are often described as "generic," making the disease challenging to diagnose, according to Hussain Abdeh, clinical director and superintendent pharmacist at Medicine Direct.

He highlighted: "Bowel cancer can be difficult to diagnose outright as the symptoms are quite generic." Join the Daily