Six warning signs of bowel cancer revealed trends now
It's one of the deadliest cancers, killing nearly 80,000 people in the UK and US per year.
Yet, like with most tumours, not everyone knows the tell-tale symptoms.
Experts say the lack of awareness can scupper survival rates, with early diagnosis key for beating the disease.
Here, MailOnline highlights the warning signs of bowel cancer so you know when to speak to a professional.
It comes after BBC Radio 1 DJ Adele Roberts said receiving early treatment helped 'save my life'.
The 44-year-old revealed that she was undergoing treatment in October 2021 after her stage two diagnosis.
She later had surgery to remove a tumour and started using a stoma bag. Last June she announced she was cancer-free.
Bowel cancer can cause you to have blood in your poo, a change in bowel habit, a lump inside your bowel which can cause an obstructions. Some people also suffer with weight loss a s a result of these symptoms
Finding blood in your poo can be alarming.
Bright red blood — indicating that it's fresh — can be caused by piles.
But drops of blood in your stool can also be caused by non-cancerous growths known as polyps, according to Bowel Cancer UK.
However, dark or black blood may be a sign of cancer, Cancer Research says.
This is because bowel tumours, usually located higher up in the digestive tract, can trigger bleeding internally.
Anyone experiencing blood in their poo should consult their doctor to find out what is causing it.
Screening programmes also check for hidden blood in poo and also polyps as these can develop into cancer.
Change in bowel habitChanges in your usual bowel habits could also be a potential warning sign of bowel cancer.
It could be as simple as needing to go to the toilet more often or feeling as though you are not fully emptying your bowels.
'One potential indicator of bowel cancer is any significant change in your pooing habits – which can vary from person to person', says colorectal surgeon James Kinross, of King Edward VII Hospital in London.
He added: 'For example, pooing more often than normal, or having looser, runnier stools.
'This would be more likely related to an external factor such as stress, eating more fibre or a change in diet, but it’s worth getting yourself checked if the problem persists.'
This change in habit can be caused by the presence of a tumour causing partial obstruction in the bowel and constipation.
It can also cause diarrhoea if the tumour leaks fluid into your bowels.
The change could happen for no obvious reason and if it lasts for longer than three weeks, you should get it checked by your GP, Macmillan says.
Weight lossAlthough an uncommon sign of bowel cancer, unexplained weight loss is still one to look out for and mention to your GP.
Unexplained weight loss can be due to a tumour making you feel sick or bloated, says Bowel Cancer UK.
A tumour can also block the bowel, which can cause pain in the stomach making you not feel like eating, explains the charity.
Dr Kinross said: 'Abdominal pain can have a wide range of causes from muscle fatigue to period pains.
'But it can also be a sign of bowel cancer.
'Discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating – which
