Latest news with #TACE
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Scots mum had negative smear tests for years - then discovered she had rare cancer
Helen Swan has her tests come back as normal, but later found out she had cancer which wasn't detected A mum who kept getting negative smear test results was shocked to discover she had a rare form of cervical cancer - one that isn't detected by these tests. Helen Swan, who hails from Aberdeen, experienced weight loss, extreme fatigue and vaginal bleeding from 2017 to 2019. Despite her smear tests coming back negative, the 54-year-old's symptoms continued to worsen. After an examination by her GP revealed tumours in her vagina, she underwent a biopsy in October 2019. In November 2019, Helen was diagnosed with endocervical adenocarcinoma, a type of cervical cancer that starts in the inner lining of the cervix. The cancer was at stage two B, meaning it was "locally advanced". Helen says it had the "potential" to be curable, but scans in November 2021 showed it had spread. Doctors found 16 tumours in Helen's lungs and gave her six months to live. Rejecting the option of palliative chemotherapy on the NHS and choosing to "put it on hold", Helen began exploring alternative treatments. She looked into over-the-counter supplements, dietary changes and mistletoe therapy, which uses extracts from the plant as a complementary cancer treatment. In December 2024, an MRI scan revealed that Helen's cancer had spread further to her scalp, and a full body scan showed it had also reached her spine, jaw, thyroid, liver and bones. Doctors have suggested to Helen that she undergo palliative chemotherapy, but there was "no guarantee it would slow the spread" of her cancer. Searching for alternative treatments, Helen came across a clinic in Germany providing Trans arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) treatment — a procedure the NHS employs for primary liver cancer but which wasn't offered to Helen as her cancer started elsewhere and is also secondary. This targeted TACE therapy involves direct chemotherapy injections into tumours to "kill them" and each session costs £4k. After two successful sessions, Helen has been raising funds to travel back for a third treatment, having been "pleased" with the outcome thus far. Helen, a mum-of-three, previously a primary school teacher and artist, commented: "I was concerned I might have cervical cancer because I was bleeding so much. "I have never had a positive smear test. The cancer I have was not picked up on the smears because it tests for cancerous cells on the outside of the cervix. "My cancer originated on the inside of my cervix. If I was having a smear test and it had grown down to the outside of the cervix it would have picked it up. "It was finally identified after I approached the GP feeling like I was dying due to the excessive bleeding. They carried out an examination and attempted a biopsy too, but struggled due to the extreme amount of bleeding. "The tumours were so vascular if they had cut into them, I would have bled a lot. The whole thing was really hard and traumatic. "I could see the look on their faces. After the scan revealed the tumours in my lungs, I was given six months to live. "I thought that was just not good enough. My sole purpose of doing this [alternative treatment] is my little boy needs me. "My oncologist said he thought my first treatment had given me a reduction in my tumours – I don't know if it's my overall tumours or the tumours he'd specifically treated, but he saw a 10 per cent reduction". In February 2025, Helen launched her GoFundMe page and has since raised over £16k towards affording TACE treatment at Frankfurt University Hospital, Germany. TACE is a procedure that involves injecting chemotherapy into the blood vessel that feeds the cancer, followed by a substance like a gel, or tiny beads to block the blood supply. This treatment is currently only offered to NHS patients with primary liver cancer. Helen has already travelled to Frankfurt twice in March and April for the treatment and says her German doctor is "pleased" with the results so far. She shared: "It's the biggest hospital in Frankfurt, and I have to do my own flights and hotel. Last week I came back from my second visit. "So far he's really pleased with the results, and it's started to work on my tumours. I've got three little tumours on my scalp, and I can already see they've gone down. "I'm set to go again in May, but I'm only going to be able to afford another time once more. It's really hard on me, but I don't want to stop doing this if it's got the potential to save my life. "TACE is only at the stage where they use it on liver cancer in the UK. Going here [to Frankfurt] and having this treatment us unbelievable. "I'm hoping a few months I'll feel better. I don't know how much is possible for me, but I'm hoping I have the potential to get clear. "It's really important to raise the funds to keep going." Helen urges all women to "advocate" for themselves. She said: "Have your smear tests. Not all cervical cancer is the same, and if there is a test available, have them. "Regardless of the smear test, you should have them and if you have any concerns research, look it up online, and go and get help. The smear test is different now to what I had. "The smear I was having were looking for cells on the outside of the cervix, but the smear test now is looking for HPV. "If the test comes back negative still go and get checked and ask the questions. I think you know your own body better than anyone else. If I'd have waited and not persevered and pushed, goodness knows what would have happened". The NHS offers advice on their website for people thinking about having treatment abroad. They write: "If you're thinking about having medical treatment in another country, it's important to understand how it works and the risks involved. "If you do not follow the correct procedures, you may have to pay the full costs of your treatment. You should discuss your plans with a GP before making any final decisions about travel or medical arrangements. "Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) does not cover going abroad for planned medical treatments. "An EHIC or GHIC is for 'necessary healthcare' from state services when you're visiting the EU and Switzerland. "Necessary healthcare means healthcare that becomes medically necessary during your stay, and you cannot reasonably wait until you're back in the UK to get it. You should also ensure you have adequate travel insurance."
Daily Record
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
'My tests all came back negative - then doctors found 16 tumours inside me'
Helen says she is determined to hold on to life so the sake of her little boy A mum had negative smear tests her whole life before discovering she had a rare cervical cancer that's not picked up on them. Helen Swan, 54, suffered from weight loss, extreme fatigue and vaginal bleeding from 2017 to 2019. Despite checks like smear tests coming back negative, Helen's symptoms got "worse and worse". Helen underwent an examination with her GP - which revealed tumours in her vagina - and she had a biopsy in October 2019. In November 2019, she was finally diagnosed with endocervical adenocarcinoma - a type of cervical cancer that originates in the inner lining of the cervix. The cancer was stage two B, meaning it was "locally advanced" and Helen says it had the "potential" of being curative, but scans in November 2021 revealed it had spread. Doctors discovered 16 tumours in Helen's lungs and she was given six months to live. Refusing the option of palliative chemotherapy on the NHS and chose to 'put it on hold', Helen instead looking into alternative treatments. She explored over-the-counter supplements, diet changes and mistletoe therapy - using extracts from the plant as a complementary cancer treatment. In December 2024, Helen was told her cancer had spread further to her scalp after an MRI scan, with a further full body scan revealing it had spread to her spine, jaw, thyroid, liver and bones. Doctors advised Helen to undergo palliative chemotherapy, but there was 'no guarantee it would slow the spread' of her cancer. She explored alternative options and found a clinic in Germany that offers Trans arterial chemoembolisation (TACE) treatment - which is currently used by the NHS to treat primary liver cancer but was not offered to Helen whose cancer originated elsewhere and is also secondary. The TACE treatment involves injecting chemotherapy directly into tumours to "kill them" and costs £4k per session. Helen has undergone two sessions and is now raising money to fly out there for the third time after being "pleased" with the results. Mum-of-three Helen, a former primary school teacher and artist, from Aberdeen, Scotland, said: "I was concerned I might have cervical cancer because I was bleeding so much. "I have never had a positive smear test. The cancer I have was not picked up on the smears because it tests for cancerous cells on the outside of the cervix. My cancer originated on the inside of my cervix. 'If I was having a smear test and it had grown down to the outside of the cervix it would have picked it up. I was eventually diagnosed after I had gone to the GP and said I felt like I was dying because I was bleeding so much. 'They examined me and gave me a biopsy as well of what they could, but they said they struggled taking it because I was bleeding so much. The tumours were so vascular if they had cut into them, I would have bled a lot. 'The whole thing was really hard and traumatic. I could see the look on their faces. After the scan revealed the tumours in my lungs, I was given six months to live. I thought that was just not good enough. "My sole purpose of doing this (alternative treatment) is my little boy needs me. My oncologist said he thought my first treatment had given me a reduction in my tumours – I don't know if it's my overall tumours or the tumours he'd specifically treated, but he saw a 10 per cent reduction'. Helen set up her GoFundMe page in February 2025 and has raised over £16k towards affording TACE treatment at Frankfurt University Hospital, Germany. TACE is a procedure that involves having chemotherapy into the blood vessel that feeds the cancer, and then a substance like a gel, or tiny beads are injected to block the blood supply. The treatment is currently only offered to patients on the NHS that have primary liver cancer. Helen has flown out to Frankfurt twice already in March and April for the treatment and says her German doctor is "pleased" with the results so far. She said: "It's the biggest hospital in Frankfurt, and I have to do my own flights and hotel. Last week I came back from my second visit. "So far he's really pleased with the results, and it's started to work on my tumours. I've got three little tumours on my scalp, and I can already see they've gone down. "I'm set to go again in May, but I'm only going to be able to afford another time once more. It's really hard on me, but I don't want to stop doing this if it's got the potential to save my life. TACE is only at the stage where they use it on liver cancer in the UK. "Going to Frankfurt and having this treatment us unbelievable. I'm hoping that, in a few months, I'll feel better. I don't know how much is possible for me, but I'm hoping I have the potential to get clear. It's really important to raise the funds to keep going." Helen urges all women to "advocate" for themselves. She said: "Have your smear tests. Not all cervical cancer is the same, and if there is a test available, have them. 'Regardless of the smear test, you should have them and if you have any concerns research, look it up online, and go and get help. The smear test is different now to what I had. 'The smear I was having were looking for cells on the outside of the cervix, but the smear test now is looking for HPV. If the test comes back negative still go and get checked and ask the questions. 'I think you know your own body better than anyone else. If I'd have waited and not persevered and pushed, goodness knows what would have happened'. The NHS offers advice on their website for people thinking about having treatment abroad: "If you're thinking about having medical treatment in another country, it's important to understand how it works and the risks involved. 'If you do not follow the correct procedures, you may have to pay the full costs of your treatment. You should discuss your plans with a GP before making any final decisions about travel or medical arrangements. 'Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) does not cover going abroad for planned medical treatments. An EHIC or GHIC is for "necessary healthcare" from state services when you're visiting the EU and Switzerland. "Necessary healthcare means healthcare that becomes medically necessary during your stay, and you cannot reasonably wait until you're back in the UK to get it. You should also ensure you have adequate travel insurance'.
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Gran, 55, whose 2st weight gain was blamed on fibroids ‘devastated' as she's given months to live
A GRAN who was initially told she had fibroids was diagnosed with terminal cancer - and weight gain was one of the first signs. Julie Butler, 55, was diagnosed with fibroids - non-cancerous growth - after gaining two stone and experiencing pain in her abdomen. 6 Julie Butler was diagnosed with fibroids and told she would need a hysterectomy Credit: SWNS 6 But due to Covid delays, the gran had to wait two years for the surgery Credit: SWNS The mum-of-two was told she needed a hysterectomy but didn't have the surgery for another two years due to Covid delays and struggled with bloating and walking. But in September 2022, she was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours. The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer. A year later Julie was diagnosed with stage four cancer and was told it has spread to her lung, liver and spleen. Despite chemotherapy the cancer is still growing and her husband Robert Butler, 54, is now looking to fundraise £40k for a life saving treatment called Trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The treatment delivers chemotherapy directly into the blood vessels feeding a tumour, and then blocks the blood supply to the tumour. TACE is available on the NHS for the treatment of primary liver cancer, but Julie's liver cancer is secondary, meaning she is not eligible for the treatment. Julie, a catering assistant, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: "When I was diagnosed with stage four cancer, I was devastated. "I have a granddaughter, and I was thinking about how I wanted to see her grow up. "The day I got told I was stage four, I was worried I would never see her in her first school uniform. I put my bloating down to eating too many carbs - then I was diagnosed with cancer "I was worried that I would not be able to see her grow up. "We are at the point where the chemotherapy is not working for me, and we need to try something new." In 2020, Julie noticed she had gained two stone, which was unusual for her, and was also experiencing pain in her abdomen. She went to her GP, who carried out an ultrasound and hysteroscopy . Julie was diagnosed with fibroids in March 2020 and told she would need a hysterectomy. Due to Covid delays, Julie didn't have her hysterectomy until July 2022. I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant Julie Butler Julie said: "In those two years, I could barely walk, but doctors couldn't put a finger on it. "I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant." After the hysterectomy, Julie was still experiencing extreme bloating. During a meeting to see how Julie was doing since the hysterectomy, a scan revealed that she had a blockage in her bowel and she was sent for an operation. Julie said: "During the operation, they removed my lower bowel, and found that I had two tumours that were causing the problem. "They said the tumours had gone into my lymph nodes, so they removed them too. "They told me it was cancer but sent the tumours off for a biopsy to double check." 'Three months to live' The biopsy confirmed that Julie had bowel cancer, and doctors told them they were 95 per cent sure they had removed all the cancer, but couldn't be certain. Doctors advised that Julie should start chemotherapy, but after two major operations, she was too ill. A year later, Julie started to feel ill again, so she went for an MRI, CT and PET scan in April 2023. The scans showed that the cancer had spread to her lung, liver and spleen and given a stage four diagnosis. On the same day, Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis. Julie said: "Being told you have three months to live is devastating. Being told you have three months to live is devastating. It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it Julie Butler "It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it." Julie then started on chemotherapy in July 2024 and finished in April 2025. Despite being given three different types of chemotherapy, Julie's cancer is continuing to grow. Her husband, Robert, a hedge cutter, said: "The chemo has been very aggressive, but the doctors have told us it is not ready. "The NHS wants to try a fourth chemo, but it is a catch-22 situation. "Her liver is in serious trouble. If we carry on with the chemo and it doesn't work, she will end up with liver failure." 6 In September 2022, Julie was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours Credit: SWNS 6 The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer Credit: SWNS 6 Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis Credit: SWNS 6 Her family are now looking to fundraise for life-saving treatment for her Credit: SWNS The couple are hoping to fly out to Germany for TACE but need to raise £40k to do so. Robert said: "We have no choice now, we need to try it. "If we don't try this, Julie is going to die, we have to do it. "We are waiting for some blood test results to come back before we fly over there, we are hoping to head over there soon. "My faith in the world has been restored. We have been in such a dark place for so long. "The fact that people have been donating to help Julie shows that angels exist and there are good people out there." To donate to the funding page, click here.
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Gran, 55, whose 2st weight gain was blamed on fibroids ‘devastated' as she's given months to live
A GRAN who was initially told she had fibroids was diagnosed with terminal cancer - and weight gain was one of the first signs. Julie Butler, 55, was diagnosed with fibroids - non-cancerous growth - after gaining two stone and experiencing 6 Julie Butler was diagnosed with fibroids and told she would need a hysterectomy Credit: SWNS 6 But due to Covid delays, the gran had to wait two years for the surgery Credit: SWNS The mum-of-two was told she needed a But in September 2022, she was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours. The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer. A year later Julie was diagnosed with stage four cancer and was told it has spread to her lung, liver and spleen. Read more on bowel cancer Despite chemotherapy the cancer is still growing and her husband Robert Butler, 54, is now looking to fundraise £40k for a life saving treatment called Trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The treatment delivers chemotherapy directly into the blood vessels feeding a tumour, and then blocks the blood supply to the tumour. TACE is available on the NHS for the treatment of primary liver cancer, but Julie's liver cancer is secondary, meaning she is not eligible for the treatment. Julie, a catering assistant, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: "When I was diagnosed with stage four cancer, I was devastated. Most read in Health "I have a granddaughter, and I was thinking about how I wanted to see her grow up. "The day I got told I was stage four, I was worried I would never see her in her first school uniform. I put my bloating down to eating too many carbs - then I was diagnosed with cancer "I was worried that I would not be able to see her grow up. "We are at the point where the chemotherapy is not working for me, and we need to try something new." In 2020, Julie noticed she had gained two stone, which was unusual for her, and was also experiencing pain in her abdomen. She went to her GP, who carried out an ultrasound and hysteroscopy . Julie was diagnosed with fibroids in March 2020 and told she would need a hysterectomy. Due to Covid delays, Julie didn't have her hysterectomy until July 2022. I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant Julie Butler Julie said: "In those two years, I could barely walk, but doctors couldn't put a finger on it. "I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant." After the hysterectomy, Julie was still experiencing extreme bloating. During a meeting to see how Julie was doing since the hysterectomy, a scan revealed that she had a blockage in her bowel and she was sent for an operation. Julie said: "During the operation, they removed my lower bowel, and found that I had two tumours that were causing the problem. "They said the tumours had gone into my lymph nodes, so they removed them too. "They told me it was cancer but sent the tumours off for a biopsy to double check." 'Three months to live' The biopsy confirmed that Julie had bowel cancer, and doctors told them they were 95 per cent sure they had removed all the cancer, but couldn't be certain. Doctors advised that Julie should start chemotherapy, but after two major operations, she was too ill. A year later, Julie started to feel ill again, so she went for an MRI, CT and PET scan in April 2023. The scans showed that the cancer had spread to her lung, liver and spleen and given a stage four diagnosis. On the same day, Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis. Julie said: "Being told you have three months to live is devastating. Being told you have three months to live is devastating. It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it Julie Butler "It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it." Julie then started on chemotherapy in July 2024 and finished in April 2025. Despite being given three different types of chemotherapy, Julie's cancer is continuing to grow. Her husband, Robert, a hedge cutter, said: "The chemo has been very aggressive, but the doctors have told us it is not ready. "The NHS wants to try a fourth chemo, but it is a catch-22 situation. "Her liver is in serious trouble. If we carry on with the chemo and it doesn't work, she will end up with 6 In September 2022, Julie was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours Credit: SWNS 6 The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer Credit: SWNS 6 Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis Credit: SWNS 6 Her family are now looking to fundraise for life-saving treatment for her Credit: SWNS The couple are hoping to fly out to Germany for TACE but need to raise £40k to do so. Robert said: "We have no choice now, we need to try it. "If we don't try this, Julie is going to die, we have to do it. "We are waiting for some blood test results to come back before we fly over there, we are hoping to head over there soon. "My faith in the world has been restored. We have been in such a dark place for so long. "The fact that people have been donating to help Julie shows that angels exist and there are good people out there." To donate to the funding page, click What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer? IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough. While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver. If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems. The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include: Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example Pain or a lump in your tummy Extreme tiredness Losing weight Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness. In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction. Other signs include: Gripping pains in the abdomen Feeling bloated Constipation and being unable to pass wind Being sick Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools. But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
The Sun
19-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Gran, 55, whose 2st weight gain was blamed on fibroids ‘devastated' as she's given months to live
A GRAN who was initially told she had fibroids was diagnosed with terminal cancer - and weight gain was one of the first signs. Julie Butler, 55, was diagnosed with fibroids - non-cancerous growth - after gaining two stone and experiencing pain in her abdomen. 6 6 The mum-of-two was told she needed a hysterectomy but didn't have the surgery for another two years due to Covid delays and struggled with bloating and walking. But in September 2022, she was admitted to the hospital with a bowel blockage - where they removed her lower bowel and two unexpected tumours. The tumours were sent off for a biopsy, and Julie was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer. A year later Julie was diagnosed with stage four cancer and was told it has spread to her lung, liver and spleen. Despite chemotherapy the cancer is still growing and her husband Robert Butler, 54, is now looking to fundraise £40k for a life saving treatment called Trans arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The treatment delivers chemotherapy directly into the blood vessels feeding a tumour, and then blocks the blood supply to the tumour. TACE is available on the NHS for the treatment of primary liver cancer, but Julie's liver cancer is secondary, meaning she is not eligible for the treatment. Julie, a catering assistant, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, said: "When I was diagnosed with stage four cancer, I was devastated. "I have a granddaughter, and I was thinking about how I wanted to see her grow up. "The day I got told I was stage four, I was worried I would never see her in her first school uniform. I put my bloating down to eating too many carbs - then I was diagnosed with cancer "I was worried that I would not be able to see her grow up. "We are at the point where the chemotherapy is not working for me, and we need to try something new." In 2020, Julie noticed she had gained two stone, which was unusual for her, and was also experiencing pain in her abdomen. She went to her GP, who carried out an ultrasound and hysteroscopy . Julie was diagnosed with fibroids in March 2020 and told she would need a hysterectomy. Due to Covid delays, Julie didn't have her hysterectomy until July 2022. Julie said: "In those two years, I could barely walk, but doctors couldn't put a finger on it. "I was bloated all the time, it looked like I was nine months pregnant." After the hysterectomy, Julie was still experiencing extreme bloating. During a meeting to see how Julie was doing since the hysterectomy, a scan revealed that she had a blockage in her bowel and she was sent for an operation. Julie said: "During the operation, they removed my lower bowel, and found that I had two tumours that were causing the problem. "They said the tumours had gone into my lymph nodes, so they removed them too. "They told me it was cancer but sent the tumours off for a biopsy to double check." 'Three months to live' The biopsy confirmed that Julie had bowel cancer, and doctors told them they were 95 per cent sure they had removed all the cancer, but couldn't be certain. Doctors advised that Julie should start chemotherapy, but after two major operations, she was too ill. A year later, Julie started to feel ill again, so she went for an MRI, CT and PET scan in April 2023. The scans showed that the cancer had spread to her lung, liver and spleen and given a stage four diagnosis. On the same day, Julie was told she had three months to live, but she has surpassed that prognosis. Julie said: "Being told you have three months to live is devastating. Being told you have three months to live is devastating. It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it Julie Butler "It was a horrible thing to experience, I can't explain it." Julie then started on chemotherapy in July 2024 and finished in April 2025. Despite being given three different types of chemotherapy, Julie's cancer is continuing to grow. Her husband, Robert, a hedge cutter, said: "The chemo has been very aggressive, but the doctors have told us it is not ready. "The NHS wants to try a fourth chemo, but it is a catch-22 situation. "Her liver is in serious trouble. If we carry on with the chemo and it doesn't work, she will end up with liver failure." 6 6 6 6 The couple are hoping to fly out to Germany for TACE but need to raise £40k to do so. Robert said: "We have no choice now, we need to try it. "If we don't try this, Julie is going to die, we have to do it. "We are waiting for some blood test results to come back before we fly over there, we are hoping to head over there soon. "My faith in the world has been restored. We have been in such a dark place for so long. "The fact that people have been donating to help Julie shows that angels exist and there are good people out there." To donate to the funding page, click here. What are the red flag warning signs of bowel cancer? IT'S the fourth most common cancer in the UK, the second deadliest - yet bowel cancer can be cured, if you catch it early enough. While screening is one way of ensuring early diagnosis, there are things everyone can do to reduce their risk of the deadly disease. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and checking with your GP can prove a life-saver. If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and don't ignore them. Doctors are used to seeing lots of patients with bowel problems. The five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include: Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo A change in your normal toilet habits - going more frequently for example Pain or a lump in your tummy Extreme tiredness Losing weight Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness. In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction. Other signs include: Gripping pains in the abdomen Feeling bloated Constipation and being unable to pass wind Being sick Feeling like you need to strain - like doing a number two - but after you've been to the loo While these are all signs to watch out for, experts warn the most serious is noticing blood in your stools. But, they warn it can prove tricky for doctors to diagnose the disease, because in most cases these symptoms will be a sign of a less serious disease.
