Bowel Cancer Awareness Month provides a vital opportunity to increase awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer. It’s a time to remind patients, families and healthcare professionals that when it comes to cancer, every day counts.

We’re proud to work alongside NHS Trusts to increase their endoscopy capacity, giving patients access to investigation and diagnosis sooner.

 

The Importance of Early Diagnosis

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, after breast, prostate and lung cancers. Yet, if caught early, it is treatable and curable. According to Bowel Cancer UK, nearly everyone diagnosed at the earliest stage will survive bowel cancer. However, this drops significantly as the disease develops.

Sometimes, people delay reporting their symptoms due to fear, embarrassment, or uncertainty about what is and isn’t normal. That’s why it’s so important to understand the signs and symptoms.

Know the Symptoms

The key symptoms of bowel cancer can include:

  • Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo
  • A persistent change in bowel habits, such as needing to go more often or having looser stools
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme tiredness for no apparent reason
  • A pain or lump in your tummy

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, speaking to your GP as soon as possible is essential. Early referral for diagnostic tests such as colonoscopy can help detect cancer at a much earlier stage.

More information on symptoms can be found on the Bowel Cancer UK website.

 

How MDCare Supports Faster Diagnosis

We understand the pressure NHS teams face — particularly in gastroenterology and endoscopy services. At MDCG, we support NHS Trusts across the UK by delivering additional weekend and out-of-hours endoscopy capacity, helping to reduce waiting lists and provide patients with timely access to care.

By working in partnership with local NHS services, we ensure that patients are seen quickly, safely, and with the same high standards of care they expect from their Trust teams.

Because getting diagnosed shouldn’t be a pain in the backside.