RM Partners North West and South West London Cancer Alliance, with NHS South East London Cancer Alliance, are supporting 'Dont Wipe Away The Signs' to help more people recognise the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer.
The awareness campaign supports people to contact their GP practice early with any concerns, as well as promoting the importance of bowel cancer screening by encouraging people to return their at home bowel test kit, even if they don't have any symptoms.
The campaign will run in areas across North West, South West and South East London across buses, underground and overground stations, outdoor advertising, social media, radio and online search engines and will be supported by local community and regional Transport for London (TfL) partnership activity.
The bowel cancer awareness campaign will be live throughout the month of October 2025.
The key messages include:
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In England, over 36,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, and it is the 4th most common cancer.
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Bowel cancer is cancer found anywhere in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum.
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It can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or where you live.
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The biggest preventable cause of bowel cancer in the UK is eating too little fibre.
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Knowing the symptoms are important, as the earlier bowel cancer is found the more treatable it’s likely to be.
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Around 90% of people diagnosed with stage 1 cancer survive for 5 years or more, compared with around 10% of people who are diagnosed at stage 4.
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Having symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have bowel cancer, but it’s still important to find out what’s causing them.
Know the symptoms
Symptoms can include:
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Changes in your poo, such as having a softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that are not usual for you
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Bleeding from your bottom
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Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
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Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
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Pain, bloating or a lump in your tummy
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Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you've just been to the toilet
Other symptoms include:
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Losing weight without trying to
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Feeling very tired for no reason
Whilst it is less likely to be bowel cancer, it’s best to see a healthcare professional if you are experiencing any of these symptoms for 3 weeks or more.
“Most people with bowel symptoms don’t have cancer, but if it is cancer, making the diagnosis early is what makes all the difference in making the treatment simpler and more successful. If you notice any changes in your bowel habits, such as bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo or unexplained tummy symptoms, or if you experience any symptoms that are not usual for you for three weeks or more, please contact your GP practice.”
Dr Bushra Khawaja,
RM Partners Primary Care Cancer Lead, Hillingdon & Harrow
Are you over 50?
Have you received your test kit?
No symptoms doesn't mean no problem.
Bowel cancer screening is a test you do at home that checks for signs of bowel cancer. It's offered to everyone aged 50 to 74.
Bowel cancer screening uses a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) to look for tiny amounts of blood in a sample of your poo. This could be a sign of bowel cancer. You collect the sample at home and send it by post to be tested.
It can help find cancer early, and before you have any symptoms, which may mean it's easier to treat.
