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Bowel Cancer UK

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Bowel Cancer UK

We’re the UK’s leading bowel cancer charity. Our vision is a future where nobody dies of the disease.

Someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer every 15 minutes in the UK. It’s also the country’s second biggest cancer killer, but it shouldn’t be. Bowel cancer is very treatable especially if diagnosed at an early stage. We are passionate about making sure people know the symptoms and understand how important it is to go to their GP if they have concerns, so that bowel cancer can be ruled out or diagno

sed quickly. We also encourage people to take part in screening and to improve their bowel health and stack the odds against the disease by making simple changes to their diet and lifestyle. We rely on donations from the public to continue our life saving work, so do please support us if you can by going to www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/donate/

We want to stop people dying needlessly from bowel cancer and with your support we can.

21/08/2026

The emojis we deserve!

We think our incredible community would absolutely love these emojis.

Share your own suggestions in the comments. 💛

19/08/2026

Did you know that 130 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every day? That’s over 48,000 people every year.

The earlier bowel cancer is spotted, the more treatable it’s likely to be. That's why it’s so important to learn and share life-saving information about the disease.

Symptoms of bowel cancer can include:
- bleeding from your bottom
- blood in your poo
- a change in your pooing habits. You might be going more or less often, or have diarrhoea or constipation that comes and goes
- losing weight without knowing why
- feeling very tired all the time without knowing why
- a pain or lump in your tummy

Please share this post and help raise vital awareness💛

17/08/2026

Kayleigh was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer.

“I remember the GP saying something along the lines of “I am referring you on a two-week pathway which is usually reserved for potential cancer issues, but I just want you to be seen quickly as this has been rumbling on for so long. So don’t panic if you see the word cancer on the colonoscopy referral!”.

“I completed my QFIT (quantitative faecal immunochemical test) and went for the colonoscopy, they ran into some unexpected issues during the procedure with an area they wanted to biopsy, but on the whole, I wasn’t very stressed at all. The procedure was completed and I was told I would hear from my GP in due course.

“Knowing how long the communication from GPs usually takes I was not expecting a call the following week from an unknown number. I had just got in the house and answered the phone, on hearing it was someone from my local hospital I assumed it was a survey on how the procedure had gone. I was then asked if I was in a position to speak openly and if there was someone nearby I would like to have on the call. Still thinking it was a survey I laughed and said “I’m sure I’ll manage!”

“Then the lady explained that my biopsy results had come back as cancerous and that I had a tumour. She then explained several more things to do with appointments that would be set up over the next few days. I just about had the mental capacity at this point to ask if I could have a copy of everything in writing as I was completely overwhelmed and wouldn't remember any of what had been said.

“My diagnosis was a complete shock. I was still very much in the headspace of the procedure being done to rule out polyps and that any mention of cancer was to speed the waiting times along.

“I had a barrage of appointments all carried out within two to three weeks. MRI, CT and PET scans. I met with my colorectal cancer team and within weeks I was heading for surgery to remove the tumour.

“I was kept very well informed, even with the quick turnaround of appointments and my nurse team in particular were available at every stage. I've had another bigger surgery since the tumour removal, as well as regular small procedures.

“Currently I’m in surveillance, with my previous check up being the most positive yet. I am in my first period of six months between checks and it's a huge relief to not feel like I'm tied to the hospital.

“Something I've found unexpectedly tricky with the longer time frame between procedures is increased anxiety. I'm struggling with finding a balance between what could be symptoms or could just be natural issues that arise.

“I'd like younger people to know about the value of a QFIT test. If I wasn't offered one of these, things may have been very different.”

A huge thank you to Kayleigh for sharing her story and emphasising the important role of FITs. To read Kayleigh’s whole story, go to https://bit.ly/45Yx82w

14/08/2026

For anyone who needs to hear some encouragement today 💛

Every bowel cancer journey is different, and everyone's experience is unique. But every step-forward deserves to be recognised, no matter how big or small. You deserve to be proud of how far you've come.

Remember you're not alone. We're here for you alongside a whole community of people who with entire community of people.

If you’re looking for a support group local to you, we can help!

Our partner groups are independent from Bowel Cancer UK, so we’re not responsible for their activities, but we can help you find a group local to you.

Find your local support group: https://bit.ly/3SOeYeH

13/08/2026

Surviving bowel cancer should not mean having to accept a poorer quality of life.

With more people living with and beyond bowel cancer, we’re working to better understand the long-term and late effects.

Following her stage 1 diagnosis, Debbie underwent radical surgery and lives with the long-term effects as a result.

“If my story helps one person feel less alone, more confident about speaking up or relief on hearing there is life with LARS (Low anterior resection syndrome) I will be pleased.

“My surgeon (was) a very clear and empathetic communicator, which helped tremendously. After surgery he came to the ward to explain the operation had been more complicated than anticipated and I would never be the same. From a cancer perspective, however, he was very happy.

"The reality for me post-surgery, at three months when I was told I should have hit my functional baseline, was that I was going between 15 times on a good day and 30 plus on a bad day. I was in permanent discomfort with the feeling of never being empty. I could not leave the house without a toilet plan. If I was going anywhere, toilets had to be mapped beforehand.

"If I was going out for the day, I would drastically reduce my intake in the two days before and not eat at all on the day out. After a few months the weight of this really took its toll and I stopped wanting to go out, because I was doing everything whilst starving hungry and therefore frankly grumpy.

"LARS is largely invisible. Many people look well and are told treatment was a success, while privately organising every day around toilets, food restriction, exhaustion, embarrassment and anxiety. It erodes confidence and spontaneity. You stop living normally because every outing becomes a risk calculation.

"At six months, when my bowel function hadn’t recovered, I requested a referral. I asked to try trans-anal irrigation (TAI). Total game changer. It takes time each morning, but it has given me back the ability to leave the house feeling comfortable and without fear.

"I eventually found an intervention that helped, but only after many months of unnecessary distress. Earlier specialist input could have prevented prolonged physical and psychological harm.

"LARS is an extremely debilitating condition that isn’t taken seriously enough. It can leave people practically housebound and can have a hugely negative impact on mental health.

"Too often LARS is minimised because surgery was necessary to treat the cancer. But survivorship must include quality of life, not just survival. This needs to change."

Debbie's experience with LARS and her advocacy for herself show just how much more focus is needed on the late effects of bowel cancer.

Our aim is to improve the support and understanding people receive. Together, we identified some key areas the research should focus on.

Read our report on understanding long-term and late effects of bowel cancer treatment: https://bit.ly/4xvQV55

12/08/2026

“I'm proof it can be beaten.”

Rob was diagnosed with bowel cancer, aged 42.

“Prior to my diagnosis, I'd began to notice the walk to work was talking longer. I was tired far more than was usual despite a full night's sleep. I'd have occasional diarrhoea. I had noticed I'd lost a lot of weight but as we'd changed diets, I'd written it off as eating better.

“But then I developed an ache in my side which didn't go after a few days so went to see the GP. We both thought it was a pulled muscle and agreed see how I was. It didn't go away so on the second visit the GP asked me to book a blood test.

“The day before that was due, I’d got home from work and was basically asleep on my feet. It turned out I was chronically anaemic and a CT scan revealed a growth on my large intestine.

“I had an operation to remove the tumour. After the operation I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer. This was a shock, the specialist could see how worried my wife and me were and quickly reassured us he felt they'd got it in time but I would need chemotherapy.

“I was in hospital for eight days in total and discharged five days after my operation.

“It was agreed I'd start CAPOX, unfortunately this really disagreed with me I lost control of my bowel, fouling the bed in my sleep a couple of times, as well as being chronically sick. It was agreed to switch me to FOLFOX and this was kinder to me. I coped much better, with no more accidents and whilst feeling sick but wasn't throwing up.

“I did find a lot of inner strength, I was determined not to let cancer beat me and the support I had made it easier. I never knew I could be so determined and focused until my bowel cancer diagnosis.

“Nearly seven years post treatment, I've finished my yearly scans and I am doing well. I still have the odd moment where I realise I'm lucky to be alive. I'm a lot more positive post cancer, embrace the opportunity to try new things — it gave me a fresh outlook on life.

“The biggest thing, and it's something I say to anyone, if you're ever in doubt about your symptoms please get them checked. The earlier it's caught the better.”

We can’t thank Rob enough for highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and for sharing his wonderful positivity.

To read Rob’s whole story and more like it, please go to https://bit.ly/4hTYDBx

11/08/2026

A bowel cancer diagnosis may leave you with a number of questions, and it might be hard to know what to expect next.

One of the first steps that may follow a diagnosis is prehabilitation, which can begin soon after your diagnosis to help prepare you for treatment. But what is prehabilitation and what does it include?

Prehabilitation is a way of improving your physical and emotional health before treatment, including surgery. It aims to help your recovery and reduce your risk of complications afterwards. It may include:
- eating a healthy and balanced diet
- keeping active
- giving up smoking
- cutting down on alcohol
- looking after your emotional health

If you’d like to learn more about prehabilitation, go to https://bit.ly/4oXlnB2

09/08/2026

Trigger warning – mentions of loss.

“Not long ago, my dad, Gary, was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Hearing that news changed everything for our family overnight.

“Losing him has been incredibly hard, and there isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t think about him. Anyone who knew my dad knew he was completely and unapologetically himself. He was stubborn, cheeky, a bit of a troublemaker at times, and always liked doing things his own way. But he was also loving, loyal, hardworking, and fiercely protective of the people he cared about.

“After losing him, I wanted to turn the heartbreak into something positive. I chose the London to Brighton Cycle Ride because I wanted to do something that would challenge me and raise money for a cause that means so much to my family. Every mile I cycle is a chance to honour his memory.

“Whenever training gets tough, I remind myself why I'm doing it. Knowing that every mile is helping to raise money and awareness for Bowel Cancer UK gives me all the motivation I need to keep going.

“Although he won't be there to see me cross the finish line or complete the bike ride, I know he'll be with me. Taking on this challenge in his memory is my way of saying thank you for everything he did for me. If sharing his story encourages just one person to get checked earlier or seek help sooner, then I know I'm making a difference in his honour.

“Whether you're riding in memory of someone, supporting a loved one or simply want to make a difference, this challenge is an incredible experience. It isn't just about cycling from London to Brighton; it's about being part of something bigger. Every mile you complete helps raise vital funds and awareness of bowel cancer and supports families going through incredibly difficult times.”

We’re so grateful to Jake for his incredible support and wish him all the best for his challenge on 13 September.

Want to make a difference? Join this year's London to Brighton ride. Sign up by 21 August to secure your place: https://bit.ly/4xj9VUh

P.S. Registration is 50% off! 🚴

08/08/2026

Starting bowel cancer treatment may feel overwhelming, so we want to help you feel as prepared as possible for your hospital appointments.

Our online forum shares advice on what to pack in your hospital bag:

- Things to help keep you entertained and comfortable, such as books, magazines, puzzles, an eye mask, snacks, and a notebook and pen.
- Comfortable clothing like pyjamas, loose-fitting clothes, underwear, a dressing gown, socks and slippers.
- Toiletries such as a hairbrush, deodorant, soap, a toothbrush, a shaving kit, tissues, wet wipes, lip balm and a flannel.

If you’re awaiting an operation and looking for information to help you feel more prepared, our publication ‘Your Operation’ contains lots of practical advice. To learn more, go to: https://bit.ly/3Jp6Yv4

07/08/2026

Every year we ask our community to nominate their nurse for one of our Gary Logue Awards. These awards are a chance to celebrate an incredible nurse who went above and beyond to care for you.

To inspire you to nominate your nurse, we’re sharing John’s story of how his colorectal cancer nurse specialists helped him.

John was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer after completing his screening test.

During his follow up colonoscopy, the team found polyps which they removed and also took eight biopsies. Afterwards, they called John and his partner into a side room where a nurse explained to them that it was cancer.

John began treatment which included surgery and chemotherapy. When he shared his story with us, he praised his medical team’s care and support, in particular the nurses.

“My medical team has been incredible. The cancer nurses kept me informed every step of the way, and after surgery they gave me amazing support to adjust to life with a stoma. The ward nurses were equally compassionate, helping me through my toughest days. I always felt cared for.”

Our Gary Logue Awards are your opportunity to tell us about your exceptional colorectal cancer nurse specialist, just like John’s. You only have this weekend left to nominate your nurse, so do it now: https://bit.ly/4fqbbxz

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Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/

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