Published on: 23 March 2023
Health Leaders in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are encouraging people to see their GP if they have persistent tummy troubles, such as bloating or a change in you bowel movements for 3 weeks or more, as they could be early signs of serious conditions such as bowel, ovarian and pancreatic cancer. Similarly, anyone who finds blood in their pee or poo - even just once- should book an appointment with their Doctor, as it may be a symptom of cancer.
The number of people being sent for urgent cancer checks by their GP has been at record levels since March 2021, and the latest annual data shows that around 142,000 people were diagnosed with cancers in the abdominal area or urological cancers in England. Despite this some people who are suffering with abdominal or urological symptoms may be reluctant to visit their GP. They may be embarrassed about their symptoms, concerned that they might be wasting their doctor’s time, or they may just put their symptoms down to getting older.
While it’s probably nothing serious, anyone who experiences any of the symptoms above should contact their GP practice, because the sooner they seek medical advice the easier it will be to treat if there is something wrong.
Dr Will Taylor, Medical Director for NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire said:
“If you have noticed blood in your pee or poo or a change in your bowel habits lasting three weeks or longer, don’t ignore these symptoms. They might not be due to serious illness but getting them checked is essential.
“Please don’t delay, contact your GP practice for advice. If it is cancer or another serious problem, the earlier it is investigated the higher the chance of successful treatment.”
When you contact your GP practice you may initially receive a telephone call to discuss the problem with a clinician. They will then arrange a face to face appointment or further tests if required. If necessary they may refer you to a hospital.
More information on cancer signs and symptoms can be found here:
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