We don't talk about poo.......But we really should!
The subject of our bowel habits has long been taboo, but here at The London House of
Wellbeing we are about to change that!
Why? Quite simply because we know that 9 out of 10 bowel cancer patients can survive if
detected early. And often, that starts with recognising changes in our poo.
Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with the disease, that’s nearly 43,000 people each
year. We need to take action!
April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a time to educate and spread the word about the
common signs and symptoms associated with bowel cancer, and the best ways to keep
ourselves in tune with our bodies.
What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer occurs in the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. It is also
known as colorectal cancer. Most patients with bowel cancer are over 50 years old, but it
can occur at any age.
Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, but it does not have to be as it is
treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.
Common symptoms:
Bleeding from your bottom and/or blood in your poo
A persistent and unexplained change in your bowel habit
Unexplained weight loss
Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
A pain or lump in your tummy
Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer. Other health problems can
cause similar symptoms. But if you have one or more of these, or if things just don’t feel
right, see your GP.
No one cause has been identified for bowel cancer, however scientists believe that half of
all bowel cancers diagnosed could have been prevented with a healthy lifestyle.
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, we recommend:
Plenty of fibre in your diet
Regular exercise
Avoiding processed meat
Maintaining a healthy weight
Having a balanced diet
How can we help you?
Bowel cancer signs and symptoms overlap with other common conditions and The London
House of Wellbeing can help highlight those symptoms.
We offer a range of health screening tests to help kick-start your wellness journey. Our
mission is preventative healthcare and to help you take control of your health.
If you’re worried about changes in your bowel movements and would like to book a
confidential chat with one of our friendly pharmacists, please call, email, or drop in to see
us.
We are here to help.