With April being Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, what better opportunity would there be to provide some useful information to raise awareness and encourage conversations that could help save lives.

Bowel Cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and almost 44,000 people are diagnosed with Bowel Cancer every year in the UK. However, the earlier bowel cancer is spotted, the more treatable it is likely to be, with more than 9 in 10 people surviving bowel cancer when it is diagnosed at the earliest stage.

New research revealed that 1 in 3 adults cannot identify a single symptom of bowel cancer. Common symptoms include blood in your stool, changes in bowel habits, losing weight but you are unsure why, extreme tiredness all the time but you are not sure why and a pain or lump in your stomach. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should arrange a GP appointment as soon as possible.

We can appreciate that some may find conversations surrounding symptoms embarrassing but knowledge is power and it’s really important to encourage these conversations as it’s never too early to take action if you notice any changes.

Bowel Cancer UK have arranged a number of campaigns to get involved in, including Active April. Get involved this April by being active every day throughout April or even by supporting those who are taking part and helping fundraise.

Alongside Active April, Bowel Cancer UK are asking everyone to #PassItOn by sharing their stories or symptoms, providing comfort and inspiring support! Don’t worry if you are unsure on the symptoms, Bowel Cancer UK are also holding a number of awareness talks this month to help provide useful and potentially life changing information about bowel cancer.

At JMW we often work with clients who have been diagnosed with bowel cancer and although we would much rather clients not be in that situation, there are unfortunately situations where they have not received adequate care or have been misdiagnosed. JMW are always happy to help and we provide not only professional but also sympathetic support.

Hopefully by sharing the symptoms and encouraging conversations around bowel cancer we can help save lives, but please #PassItOn!