The 40-year-old BBC podcast host tragically lost her five-year battle with bowel cancer.
You may have pain or a lump in your stomach area (abdomen) or back passage. Or you may feel as though you're not going to the toilet often enough or you might feel as though you're not fully emptying your bowels. Deborah expressed to her GP that she may have bowel cancer. Speak to your GP if you have lost weight and you don't know why. There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom or blood in your bowel movements (poo). Bright red blood may come from swollen blood vessels (haemorrhoids or piles) in your back passage. "Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer.
Dame Deborah James, who died yesterday at the age of 40, worked tirelessly right up until her final days to raise awareness of bowel cancer and its symptoms ...
You may also be asked to take a blood test – this will check for an iron deficiency which can be a sign of bowel cancer,” says Ramskill. “Bowel cancer is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early,” says Wilde. “Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage, but this drops significantly as the disease develops. While “unexplained weight loss; extreme tiredness for no obvious reason; a pain or lump in your tummy” are other warning signs adds Wilde. In some cases, bowel cancer can stop digestive waste passing though the bowel. It’s a good idea to keep a symptoms diary ahead of your appointment to discuss with the doctor. Every 15 minutes someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer, which is nearly 43,000 people every year.” And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life’.”
'Deborah, who many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, ...
‘Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer. It read: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy. A post shared to Dame Deborah’s Instagram confirmed the news of her death.
In a final message before her death, Dame Deborah James urged people to “check your poo – it could just save your life”. The much-loved presenter of the BBC ...
“[It] gives a close-up view of the inside of your bowel so they can clearly see if there’s anything wrong. It’s then sent to a screening centre and you will be notified of your results in about two weeks,” she said. You may also be asked to take a blood test – this will check for an iron deficiency which can be a sign of bowel cancer,” said Dr Ramskill. “Nearly everyone survives bowel cancer if diagnosed at the earliest stage, but this drops significantly as the disease develops. “Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early,” Dr Wilde said. It is a good idea to keep a symptoms diary ahead of your appointment to discuss with the doctor.
Bowel cancer screening checks, which involve collecting a sample of poo, are available to everyone aged 60 to 74 years.
Your result should be posted to you within two weeks of sending off your kit. This is checked for tiny amounts of blood. Regular screening can help find it at an early stage, when it’s easier to treat.