Cancer symptoms: Abdominal pain brought on by eating could be a sign of bowel cancer

Cancer, says the NHS, is: "A condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue, including organs." Although there are over 200 types of cancer, the four most common in the UK are breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and bowel cancer. Bowel cancer is most commonly found in those over the age of 60, but like all cancers it can appear in anyone of any age. Symptoms, meanwhile, can arise in several areas.

One of the symptoms is abdominal pain brought on by eating.

Other symptoms include:

• A persistent change in bowel habit

• Bleeding from the bottom

• Blood in the poo

• Unexplained weight loss

• Extreme tiredness for no reason

• A pain or lump in the tummy.

Bowel Cancer UK says: "Most people with these symptoms don't have bowel cancer. Other health problems can cause serious symptoms. But if you have one or more of these, or if things just don't feel right, go to see your GP."

Bowel cancer

Meanwhile, new research by Bowel Cancer Research UK has found one in two Britons don't know a single symptom of bowel cancer.

Results of the survey found only 35 percent of participants could name the main red flag symptom of blood in a person's poo.

The charity said it was shocked by a lack of awareness around the condition despite its prevalence.

Around 43,000 people every year are diagnosed with bowel cancer while over 16,500 people lose their lives to the disease annually.

Director of Research and External Affairs at Bowel Cancer UK Dr Lisa Wilde said: "While the disease largely affects people over the age of 50, more than 2,600 under 50s are diagnosed each year, so it's really important people seek advice as soon as possible - whatever their age - if they're worried."

These results come just weeks after the government announced its War on Cancer, a 10 year campaign to find new treatments for cancer.

Dr Wilde says: "It is clear from these findings that this plan must include action to increase awareness of symptoms of bowel cancer and encourage people to seek help as early as possible."

The earlier a cancer is diagnosed, the more effective the treatment will be and the longer the patient will survive.

Bowel cancer abdominal pain

Meanwhile, as the government opens up its new campaign on cancer, it will have to look to areas of medicinal research for new and effective treatments.

This includes medicinal cannabis.

A recent laboratory trial has found medicinal cannabis can kill up to 90 percent of colon cancer cells.

Speaking of the results, Senior Oncologist Professor Tami Peretz said: "Based on these experiments, there is room to perform animal studies and, in the future, to examine the possibility of incorporating these products in colorectal cancer patients."

Although the results are promising, it is important to note there is a significant difference between laboratory tests and animal or human trials.

Nevertheless, the results are promising for medicinal cannabis having a positive role in the government's War on Cancer.

As the evidence base continues to grow and the benefits of medicinal cannabis become more and more obvious, this may help to lift the stigma that has enshrouded the plant since the 20th Century.

For more information on bowel cancer contact the NHS or consult with your GP. 

Reference: Christopher Sharp: Daily Express: