About bowel screening - Signs and symptoms of bowel cancer

Bowel cancer can cause a number of signs and symptoms. Finding bowel cancer early gives you the best chance of successful treatment. Get any changes checked by your doctor. Do not wait for your bowel screening test kit.

Signs and symptoms to look out for:
B – Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo
O – Ongoing or unexplained change in bowel habit
W – Weight loss which is unexplained
E – Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason
L – Lump or pain in your tummy

These symptoms can be caused by a number of conditions, not just cancer. If you have noticed any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor.

Page last reviewed: 29th December 2025