A new health programme has been launched in Birmingham after research from Bowel Cancer UK revealed that 83% of people in the city would not seek medical help straight away if their bowel habits changed. The 12-month Early Diagnosis Programme, funded by the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK and partnered with NHS Birmingham and Solihull ICB and West Midlands Cancer Alliance, aims to tackle the barriers that prevent people from acting on potential symptoms.
Survey reveals widespread reluctance to seek help
The research found that more than 8 in 10 people in Birmingham would not speak to their GP about one symptom that could save lives. Out of those surveyed, 83% said they would not seek medical help straight away if their bowel habits changed. More than a third (35%) would not seek help immediately if they had blood in their poo, while more than a quarter (28%) would delay seeking help for bleeding from their bottom.
All of these are symptoms of bowel cancer. The programme has been launched in the city to try and encourage earlier diagnosis, as almost half of people diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK are diagnosed in the later stages (stage 3 and 4), when the disease is harder to treat. If diagnosed early, bowel cancer can be treatable and curable.
Embarrassment and fear stop people seeking help
Research shows that embarrassment, fear of cancer and concerns about "wasting the doctor's time" can stop people from seeking help, something the programme aims to change. Andy Glyde, Strategy, Impact and Insight Lead at Bowel Cancer UK, said: "Our research suggests that many people in Birmingham are aware of some of the symptoms of bowel cancer, but it is concerning that so many would not seek help from a health professional straight away if they experienced them.
"Earlier diagnosis saves lives and can make a significant difference to treatment options and outcomes, which is why it is so important to take symptoms seriously and contact your GP if something doesn't look or feel right."
Glyde added: "Through our Early Diagnosis Programme, we are working directly with communities and local healthcare partners to encourage people to recognise the symptoms of bowel cancer and feel confident seeking medical advice promptly. We want more people in Birmingham to be diagnosed earlier, when bowel cancer is more treatable and outcomes are better."
Bowel cancer symptoms to watch for
The NHS advises people to get the following symptoms checked out by their GP as they could be signs of bowel cancer:
- Changes in your poo (softer, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you)
- Needing to poo more or less often than is usual for you
- Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
- Tummy pain
- A lump in your tummy
- Bloating
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling very tired or short of breath – these are signs of anaemia, which can be caused by bowel cancer
The NHS advises to call 999 if you are bleeding non-stop from your bottom or there is a lot of blood or you see large blood clots when you poo.
How the programme works
The 12-month programme is designed to tackle the barriers that can prevent people from acting on potential symptoms. It works directly with communities across West, Central and East Birmingham to help people recognise the symptoms of bowel cancer, feel confident speaking to their GP if something doesn't look or feel right, and complete their bowel cancer screening test when invited.
The programme includes community events and awareness activities, social and community group outreach, an advertising campaign to raise awareness of symptoms, and engagement with healthcare professionals to support earlier diagnosis.
Mr Ian Sharp, Medical Advisor at NHS Birmingham and Solihull and NHS Black Country, said: "We are incredibly pleased to be working with Bowel Cancer UK on this programme, which we hope will encourage more of our population to complete routine screenings and seek medical attention when needed, ultimately leading to earlier diagnosis of cancers including bowel.
"By taking the right steps to spot cancer as early as possible, we can ensure patients live healthier, happier and longer lives. Over the next year we will be supporting Bowel Cancer UK to spread the word, building on the work we have already done to engage with our communities. We hope that the programme will help us to ensure our services are working for our populations, and look forward to seeing what we can achieve by working together."
