.jpg%3F2025-10-22T09%253A11%253A48.807Z&w=3840&q=100)
Colonoscopy, constipation, and the conversations we’re still not having
Bowel cancer remains the second biggest cause of cancer-related death in the UK, yet it is highly treatable – especially when caught in its early stages.
To raise awareness and encourage early detection, we sat down with Miss Sarah Addison, Consultant Colorectal and General Surgeon here at Get Well Soon. With over 20 years of experience, Miss Addison is a leading expert in colorectal conditions, including cancer, benign bowel disorders, and functional issues such as constipation and incontinence. She works closely with uro-gynaecologists in a multidisciplinary setting to support patients with even the most complex pelvic floor and bowel health challenges.
Understanding bowel cancer: Why early detection is key
Each year, around 44,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with bowel cancer – also known as colorectal cancer, which affects the large bowel (the colon and rectum). It’s the fourth most common cancer in the country, and yet it’s the second most deadly.
But there’s hope: 9 in 10 people survive when the disease is caught early. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to understand what’s normal for their bowels—and to feel empowered to speak up when something changes.
When the bowel’s unhappy, it usually tells us in just two ways: it changes how it works, or it bleeds. And while these changes can be caused by many different conditions, they’re always worth checking.”
Know the red flags
If you’ve noticed any of the following for more than a few weeks, speak to your GP:
Persistent change
Changes in bowel habit that last longer than 3 weeks (ie, looser stools, constipation or alternating between the two).
Blood in your stool
This can be bright-red in colour, or much darker – almost black.
Incomplete emptying
A feeling that you haven't been able to quite empty your bowels.
Unexplained weight loss
Losing weight without actively trying, or without any other explanation such as cycling to work, instead of driving, for a change.
Fatigue
Fatigue, or other signs of anaemia (like tiredness or breathlessness).
“Iron-deficiency anaemia can be a subtle sign of bowel cancer due to slow blood loss. That alone can be enough to trigger further investigations.”
What’s a FIT test and when do you need a colonoscopy?
The Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is a simple, non-invasive home test that looks for hidden blood in your stool. If your FIT test is positive, you’ll likely be referred for a colonoscopy – a gold-standard test that allows us to directly view the inside of the bowel, remove any polyps, and take samples.
If your FIT test is negative, that’s reassuring. But no test is perfect.
Less than 1% of cases are missed, but if symptoms persist, we’ll still investigate – often through the FIT-negative pathway, which might include a colonoscopy or a CT colonography.
These tests may not be pleasant, but they are essential tools in preventing or catching cancer early.
A personal perspective: Why colonoscopy matters
Miss Addison shared her own family’s story to underline just how vital early detection can be:
My mum died of bowel cancer. She’d had just one rectal bleed and insisted she didn’t have any symptoms. But when we cleared out her house, we found a huge stash of laxatives – she’d been self-managing long-term constipation.
Had she had a colonoscopy five years earlier, I believe she would still be here. That experience is why I’m such an advocate for colonoscopy.
We need to talk about poo
Despite how open society has become on many personal topics, bowel health remains taboo. And it’s harming people.
“We talk about our diets, our beliefs, even our sex lives – but we still struggle to say the word ‘poo’, we all have a bottom. We all fart – about two litres of gas a day, actually! It’s totally normal. Until we start treating it that way, people will keep ignoring symptoms they shouldn’t.”
So what should you do?
If you’ve had symptoms for more than six weeks – even if you’ve had a negative FIT test – please don’t ignore them. Talk to your GP, or book to see Miss Sarah Addison or one of her colleagues at Get Well Soon. These things are usually very treatable and the earlier we see you, the easier it is to help.
Let’s normalise the conversation
At Get Well Soon, we believe that better awareness, easier access to tests, and a more open attitude towards bowel health can save lives.
Take time to check in with yourself – or someone you care about. Has anything changed with your bowels? Have you been putting off a test? There’s no shame in getting checked. In fact, it’s one of the most important things you can do for your health.
To find out more about bowel cancer symptoms, FIT testing, or booking a colonoscopy, contact Get Well Soon or speak to your GP today.
Concerned about your symptoms?
If you’ve noticed changes in your bowel habits, persistent bloating, pain, or blood in your stool, it’s worth getting checked – even if your symptoms seem mild. Take our 2 minute bowel symptom checker quiz to understand if you need to see a specialist.
Related Articles
How Nick Took Control of His Health by Choosing to Be Seen Sooner
Nick turned months of discomfort and a two year NHS wait into fast, specialist care that fit around his life. His story shows how taking control of your health can make all the difference.
Pancreatic cancer: How a second opinion could change everything
Hope beyond the headlines: with advances in imaging, chemotherapy, and highly specialised surgical techniques, patients once considered untreatable may now be eligible for surgery after undergoing treatment first – and our specialist, Mr Nikolaos Chatzizachiarias, is leading the way.