Key symptoms of bowel cancer as man who had sign dismissed by doctor is given 'weeks to live'
A man who suffered with stomach pains for months was told by GPs that it was just a case of gallstones or constipation.
After Kev Coles' symptoms were dismissed by doctors last July, the 46-year-old was left stunned when he was eventually diagnosed with bowel cancer in September.
What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer, also known as colon cancer, is one of the most common types of the disease in the UK and can be found anywhere in the large bowel.
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Cancer Research UK has also reported that bowel cancer rates are increasing amongst adults between 20 and 50, averaging to be up 7.3 per cent each year for in 30 to 39 year olds.
Father-of-seven Kev - from Stoke-on-Trent - was diagnosed with stage four cancer following a number of visits to the GP.
Wife Kayleigh Coles said Kev was prescribed laxatives and repeatedly sent home. However, in August last year, he started sweating 'like he was under a shower' and his skin turned yellow.
“He started to sweat like someone was tipping water over him and when he looked at me I noticed that he had gone completely yellow. Then he just vomited,” the 36-year-old said.
A scan later revealed that the cancer had spread to his liver, which was causing his skin to change colour.
Despite beginning chemotherapy in October, Kev has now suffered liver failure he has been told that he only has 'weeks to a few months to live'.
Bowel cancer symptoms
According to the NHS, symptoms of bowel cancer may include:
• Changes in your pooing habits
• Blood in your poo (may look red or black)
• Bleeding from your bottom
• Feeling like you need to poo even if you've just been to the toilet
• Tummy pain
• A lump in your tummy
• Bloating
• Losing weight without trying
• Feeling very tired for no reason
Kayleigh added: “He didn’t have any of the other symptoms. The bowel cancer itself was symptomless, we only noticed once it spread to his liver. He never got blood in his stool like in the TV adverts.
“It has just been a shock to everybody. Even now it feels like a story. It doesn’t feel real most of the time. How can you get your head around something that happens this quickly.
“Just five months ago we were on holiday splashing each other in the sea, now he can’t stand up unaided. Life has been extremely hard. I am just making sure that I have as many seconds with him as I can.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Anish Vij