Cancer patients 'dying of embarrassment'

Many people are reluctant to consult their GP

Embarrassment about bowel cancer could be costing thousands of lives a year, according to a survey.

Bowel cancer - the second biggest cancer killer in the UK - kills 17,000 people each year.

If caught at an early stage, it is highly treatable.

The earlier a problem is spotted the better

Dr Paula Franklin, BUPA

But many people leave it far too late before seeking medical help, by which time their condition has become terminal.

The private health company BUPA fears this is largely because many people do not know what the symptoms of the disease are because they are too embarrassed to talk about them.

BUPA carried out a survey of more than 2,000 people to establish their attitudes towards bowel cancer.

The results revealed marked differences in knowledge and embarrassment depending on where people live, their marital status and age.

The under-35s were twice as embarrassed about discussing bowel habits and symptoms as those over 55.

Bowel cancer symptoms

Recent, persistent change of bowel habit

Looser stools, going more often or trying to go more often

Rectal bleeding with no reason, no pain or itching

Single people were nearly twice as embarrassed as those who are married, and southerners were significantly more embarrassed than northerners.

Northerners had the highest awareness of the symptoms of bowel cancer.

The survey found that although 86% of the population would consult a doctor if they suffered from symptoms related to bowel cancer, many were unaware of what symptoms they should be looking out for.

Some 43% of those people also said they would be embarrassed to talk about their symptoms in detail.

Ignorance about the symptoms of bowel cancer was found to be widespread. Twenty-one per cent of those from the Midlands were unable to name any of the main symptoms.

This compared with 15% of Northerners and 18% of Southerners.

Feeling comfortable

BUPA's Dr Paula Franklin said it was vital that patients felt comfortable discussing bowel problems with their doctors.

She said: "This will ensure that they give the doctor full and accurate details which is more likely to lead to a speedy diagnosis and treatment.

"If people are embarrassed they may leave out vital pieces of information."

Dr Franklin said patients should first seek help from their pharmacist if they had concerns.

If symptoms persist for up to six weeks they should then go to their GP, he said.

"In the vast majority of cases you will be in the clear. But it is still essential to see your GP as the earlier a problem is spotted the better," he said.

Dr Franklin said any of the symptoms in isolation were most likely to be indicative of minor ailments.