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Privacy Notice One year ago, Dame Deborah James – also known as Bowelbabe – tragically died from bowel cancer at the age of 40. After being diagnosed with stage four cancer in 2016, Dame Deborah worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer and co-hosted the BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C. The TV personality’s Bowelbabe fundraiser for Cancer Research UK raised millions of pounds for the cause and raised a whopping £13.3 million in total. But following her death, Deborah’s incredible legacy still lives on and the money raised is being used for cancer research projects while the star’s family and friends completed a Race For Life in honour of her memory.
Dame Deborah James was passionate about raising awareness of bowel cancer and raised millions of pounds with her Bowelbabe fundraiser
(Image: Instagram / bowelbabe)
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While over nine out of ten new cases are diagnosed in people over the age of 50, it can affect anyone of any age and almost 43,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK every year. “It is more common in the over 50s, but it can affect people of all ages. Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with the disease,” says Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at Bowel Cancer UK, speaking to OK! last year.
Bowel cancer can affect people of all ages
(Image: Getty Images)
“More than 2,500 new cases are diagnosed annually in people under the age of 50. And 1 in 15 men and 1 in 18 women will be diagnosed with bowel cancer during their lifetime.” Despite these figures, an alarming number of people are still unfamiliar with the symptoms of bowel cancer. She says: “Our new research shows that over a quarter of people can’t name a single symptom of the disease, which are changes in bowel habit, bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness and a pain or lump in your tummy.”
Symptoms of bowel cancer include changes in bowel habit and unexplained weight loss
(Image: Getty Images)
But there are other lesser-known signs that something could be wrong with your colon. These include: Anaemia: if you’re anaemic it could mean that you’re bleeding internally, even if you don’t have any other symptoms. Shortness of breath: This can also be a sign of internal bleeding. Feeling bloated: This, along with stomach cramps, can be down to all sorts of things, but if symptoms persist, consult your GP. Skinny stools: if you’ve noticed the shape of your stools has become narrower, it could be a sign there’s a restriction in the colon. Severe constipation or persistent diarrhoea could also be a sign that you need to get checked out. Dark, tarry stools: This could indicate there is blood in your bowel movements. It could be caused by something less serious, such as an ulcer, but it can also be a sign of cancer.
Over a quarter of people can’t name a symptom of bowel cancer, according to research
(Image: Getty Images)
However, these symptoms can have a variety of different causes, so it’s important not to panic. “Most people with these symptoms don’t have bowel cancer, ” says Genevieve. “Other health problems can cause similar symptoms. But if you experience bleeding from your bottom, blood in your stool, a change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, extreme tiredness or a pain or lump in your tummy then please do visit your GP.” For more information visit bowelcanceruk.org.ukStory SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnHealthDeborah James
