--- title: "Bowel cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | HealthAnswers" description: "Bowel cancer is very treatable caught early. Know the symptoms, use the free NHS home test kit, and see a GP about any bleeding. Reviewed by UK doctors." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/ robots: noindex --- # Bowel cancer: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | HealthAnswers Health A–Z Bowel cancer is very treatable caught early. Know the symptoms, use the free NHS home test kit, and see a GP about any bleeding. Reviewed by UK doctors. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What is bowel cancer? Bowel cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum — one of the most common cancers in the UK. Symptoms include persistent change in bowel habit, blood in poo, unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain. The NHS sends screening tests to eligible adults to find cancer early. See a GP for any symptoms — do not wait for screening age. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Bowel cancer, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 11 sections ## Key facts about bowel cancer - About 1 in 15 men and 1 in 18 women develop bowel cancer in their lifetime. - NHS bowel cancer screening uses home FIT tests from age 60 (expanding to 50 in England). - Persistent change in bowel habit for 3 weeks needs GP assessment regardless of age. - When found early, bowel cancer is very treatable — screening saves lives. - Red flags — blood in poo, weight loss, anaemia — should never be assumed to be piles. ## Bowel cancer is common but often curable when found early Bowel cancer — also called colorectal cancer — develops in the colon (large bowel) or rectum. It is one of the **most common cancers in the UK**, but **screening and early diagnosis** mean many people are treated successfully. Symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for common conditions like piles — which is why persistent symptoms and screening both matter. ## Symptoms to know Bowel cancer may cause: - Change in bowel habit lasting 3 weeks or more — looser stools, going more often, or alternating constipation and diarrhoea - Blood in poo — often without pain; may be bright red or darker - Unexplained weight loss - Persistent abdominal pain, bloating or discomfort - Extreme tiredness — sometimes the only sign, from iron deficiency anaemia - Feeling that the bowel does not fully empty after going to the toilet Early bowel cancer may cause **no symptoms at all** — another reason screening is important. ## Do not assume it is piles **Haemorrhoids (piles)** are a common cause of rectal bleeding — but **bowel cancer can cause identical symptoms**. A GP should assess any unexplained bleeding or change in bowel habit, especially if you are over 40. Examination and referral when needed take days, not months. ## NHS bowel cancer screening The **FIT (faecal immunochemical test)** detects hidden blood in stool: - sent to your home every two years if you are eligible - you collect a small sample and post it back in a prepaid envelope - results arrive by letter within about two weeks **A positive FIT result** means blood was detected — you will be offered **colonoscopy** to look inside the bowel. Most people with a positive FIT do **not** have cancer — polyps or other causes are common — but investigation is essential. **Current eligibility (England):** ages 60 to 74, expanding to include people from age 50. Check [NHS bowel screening](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/) for updates. **Complete your kit** when it arrives — screening uptake saves lives. ## When to see a GP (at any age) See a GP without waiting for screening if you have: - blood in poo — any age - change in bowel habit for 3+ weeks - unexplained weight loss - persistent abdominal pain - anaemia on blood tests Bowel cancer in **people under 50** is less common but not rare — do not dismiss symptoms because of your age. ## What happens after referral A GP may examine your abdomen and perform a rectal examination, arrange blood tests, and refer you on the **urgent suspected cancer pathway** if needed. Investigation usually involves **colonoscopy** — a camera examination of the bowel under sedation. Most referrals do not find cancer — but fast assessment provides reassurance or early treatment. ## Risk factors - Age — most cases over 60, but younger cases occur - Family history — especially first-degree relatives diagnosed under 50 - Inflammatory bowel disease — Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis - Inherited conditions — Lynch syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis - Lifestyle — smoking, alcohol, red and processed meat, obesity, low fibre intake Most people with bowel cancer have **no family history**. ## Reducing your risk - complete screening when invited - eat plenty of fibre — fruit, vegetables, wholegrains - limit red and processed meat - maintain a healthy weight - exercise regularly - stop smoking and limit alcohol ## Treatment overview Treatment depends on stage and location: - Surgery — removes the cancer and nearby lymph nodes; often curative if caught early - Chemotherapy — before or after surgery for some stages - Radiotherapy — mainly for rectal cancer - Targeted and immunotherapy — for advanced disease in some cases Early-stage bowel cancer has high cure rates. Late diagnosis reduces options — another reason to act on symptoms promptly. ## After a diagnosis Bowel cancer care involves specialist teams — surgeons, oncologists, nurses, and support services. Many people return to normal life after treatment. Macmillan and Bowel Cancer UK provide practical and emotional support. ## Related symptoms If you have noticed **blood in poo** or **unexplained weight loss**, see our dedicated symptom guides — but always follow up with a GP for assessment, not self-diagnosis. ## ! When to see a GP about bowel cancer See a GP for blood in poo, persistent change in bowel habit for 3 weeks (looser stools, going more often, or feeling not fully empty), unexplained weight loss, persistent abdominal pain, or extreme tiredness. These apply at **any age** — bowel cancer affects younger adults too, though it is more common over 50. Complete your NHS screening kit when it arrives. Call **999** for severe bleeding or collapse. ## Common questions about bowel cancer What are the symptoms of bowel cancer? Persistent change in bowel habit, blood in poo (often without pain), unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain or bloating, extreme tiredness from anaemia, and a feeling that the bowel does not fully empty. Early cancer may cause no symptoms — which is why screening matters. What is bowel cancer screening? The NHS sends faecal immunochemical test (FIT) kits to eligible adults every two years. You collect a small stool sample at home and post it back. A positive result needs follow-up colonoscopy — it does not mean you have cancer, but investigation is important. Who gets bowel cancer screening in the UK? In England, people aged 60 to 74 receive FIT kits, with expansion to age 50 underway. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have similar programmes with slightly different age ranges. Check nhs.uk for current eligibility. Am I at higher risk of bowel cancer? Risk increases with age, family history of bowel cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), Lynch syndrome, and lifestyle factors — smoking, alcohol, red/processed meat, obesity and inactivity. Most cases occur without a family history. How is bowel cancer treated? Surgery to remove the cancer is the main treatment. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and targeted medicines may be used depending on stage and location. Early detection through screening or prompt GP referral gives the best outcomes. ## Sources - [NHS — Bowel cancer](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer/) - [NHS — Bowel cancer screening](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/)