A prominent expert in gut health has raised alarms regarding common symptoms that may indicate the presence of bowel cancer, a potentially deadly disease. Dr Megan Rossi, famously known as the Gut Health Doctor, shared her insights with followers while advocating for increased awareness of the condition and its signs.
Dr Rossi, an award-winning scientist at King's College London, outlined specific symptoms that should not be disregarded. The symptoms mentioned include persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest, and significant bloating. Speaking to the Get Surrey publication, Dr Rossi emphasised the following warning signs: “Unexplained weight loss (5% or more of your body weight), uncomfortable and constant bloating, blood in your poop (which may look red or black), changes in your bowel movements that aren't usual for you, and fatigue that doesn't improve with rest.”
According to Cancer Research UK, bowel cancer ranks as the fourth-most common type of cancer in the United Kingdom, trailing behind breast, prostate, and lung cancers. Statistically, men are at a higher risk, with 1 in 17 men expected to be diagnosed compared to 1 in 20 women. Although the disease can affect individuals of any age, a striking 96% of those diagnosed are over the age of 50. Annually, more than 2,600 cases are reported in individuals under 50.
Despite the seriousness of bowel cancer, it is treatable and has a high rate of curability, particularly when detected in the early stages. The current statistics reveal that over 16,800 people succumb to the disease each year in the UK, although this figure is on the decline. Enhanced awareness, improved diagnostic measures, better treatment options, and the implementation of a national bowel cancer screening programme are contributing to this reduction.
Dr Rossi shared her personal connection to the impact of bowel cancer, recalling how her grandmother was diagnosed while she was in university. Despite receiving treatment, her grandmother passed away shortly after. “Would her story have been different if we’d talked more openly about the warning signs?” Dr Rossi pondered. Her experience has fuelled her drive to promote early detection and discussion around the illness.
She also highlighted a concerning trend, indicating that bowel cancer rates are ascending globally, especially among those born after 1990. Dr Rossi attributed this rise, in part, to dietary shifts away from traditional foods—rich in fibre and plants—toward diets high in ultra-processed foods, red meat, and sugars.
As conversations about health continue to evolve, Dr Rossi’s insights serve to inform the public about the importance of recognising these potential symptoms of bowel cancer.
Source: Noah Wire Services