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Ignoring Early Signs: Bowel Cancer Symptoms Dismissed
Upon experiencing digestive discomfort and observing blood in his stool, Paul Swift confesses to initially ‘dismissing’ these alarming indicators.
At that time, the father was training for a marathon and attributed the sporadic incidents to the rigors of his intense fitness program.
He would endure periods of loose, bloody bowel movements for several days, only for the symptoms to subside intermittently.
Feeling otherwise healthy and robust, Paul, then 39, admits he simply continued with his daily life.
It wasn’t until a year later, in July 2023, when his symptoms intensified and became more frequent, that he confided in his wife, Jess.
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She urged him to seek medical advice, and just weeks before a significant race, Paul received the diagnosis of rectal cancer, a type of bowel cancer.
Paul Swift on his wedding day to Jess, who urged him to visit a doctor after noticing blood in the toilet
Just weeks before a big race, Paul – a marathon runner – was told he had rectal cancer, a form of bowel cancer
Rectal Cancer Diagnosis at 39: Marathon Runner’s Shock
Recalling the moment of diagnosis, he states, ‘I immediately felt my life was over. My daughter was only three years old, and I questioned whether I would witness her grow up.’
‘It was a complete surprise as I was in peak physical condition and felt perfectly well.’
Now, he aims to caution others about overlooking this prevalent symptom that he initially ignored.
Fortunately, despite the delayed medical consultation, Paul was diagnosed before the cancer had metastasized.
Initially, surgery was presented as the primary treatment option, which would necessitate living with a stoma for life – a pouch collecting bodily waste via an abdominal opening.
Consequently, when offered participation in a pioneering trial, supported by Cancer Research UK, investigating a treatment to avert this invasive procedure in colorectal cancer patients, he eagerly accepted.
Groundbreaking Radiotherapy Offers Hope, Avoiding Stoma Surgery
Instead of surgery, researchers at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester have been providing selected rectal cancer patients with daily high-dose radiotherapy combined with twice-daily capecitabine chemotherapy tablets.
Experts suggest this five-week regimen has demonstrated such efficacy that it could become standard practice within the NHS by the close of the following year.
Life During and After Bowel Cancer Treatment
Paul, an engineer, notes that the treatment had minimal disruption to his daily routine—he even continued working—and he married just weeks after its completion. ‘I consider myself incredibly fortunate,’ he adds. ‘The treatment has enabled me to maintain an active lifestyle, which I deemed improbable upon diagnosis.’
‘I was fortunate to detect the cancer before it spread, but I should not have disregarded the symptoms for such an extended period.’
Later this month, he is scheduled to run the Manchester marathon and plans to participate in an ultra-marathon next year to raise funds for The Christie.
For Paul, the treatment’s side effects have been mild. A month post-treatment, he experienced a burning sensation in his bowel, which has since resolved.
Urging Public Vigilance: Recognize Bowel Cancer Symptoms Early
To qualify for this innovative treatment, early disease detection is crucial—and medical professionals are encouraging public awareness of common bowel cancer symptoms.
In England, the NHS provides a complimentary home testing kit for bowel cancer screening every two years for individuals aged 50 to 74.
However, there has been a notable increase in cases like Paul’s, with diagnoses frequently occurring in individuals below the screening age threshold.
Annually, the UK records approximately 44,100 new cases of colorectal cancer—bowel cancers affecting the colon or rectum—with about 2,600 cases affecting younger adults aged 25 to 49. Research indicates that individuals born in 1990 have a significantly higher predisposition to bowel cancer, nearly two and a half times greater than those born in 1950.
Dr. Claire Arthur, consultant oncologist at The Christie, emphasizes that alongside bleeding, individuals should be vigilant for alterations in bowel habits—such as increased frequency or looser stools. Additional symptoms encompass abdominal discomfort or cramping and unexplained weight loss.
‘We frequently encounter patients who have completely disregarded blood in their stool,’ she adds.
‘While often benign, rectal bleeding is frequently an early indicator of bowel cancer and necessitates prompt investigation by a general practitioner.’
The cancer specialist clarifies that visible red blood on toilet paper is not the sole manifestation; it can be subtle and challenging to identify.
Paul Swift was training for a marathon when he first started to notice digestive problems
Understanding Blood in Stool: A Key Bowel Cancer Symptom
She explains, ‘Blood in the stool exists on a spectrum, ranging from surface appearance or red streaks mixed in, to an overall color change, which is less readily apparent if the bleeding originates higher in the bowel.’
‘Seeking medical evaluation upon experiencing symptoms is paramount, particularly if under the screening age, given the substantial surge in diagnoses among younger demographics. Often, people still mistakenly associate the disease exclusively with older age groups.’
Currently, only around one-third of patients with early-stage rectal cancer achieve successful outcomes with a five-week radiotherapy course. The remaining majority typically require surgery, often resulting in a stoma bag.
Advancements in Bowel Cancer Treatment: A Promising Future
‘Patients like Paul are eager to avoid the prospect of a stoma bag whenever feasible,’ states Dr. Arthur.
‘While numerous individuals maintain active lives with a stoma, it can considerably affect an individual’s quality of life. Therefore, advancements like this innovative radiotherapy treatment are of immense importance.’
‘This represents an exciting era in bowel cancer treatment, characterized by numerous advancements. We anticipate increasingly offering radiotherapy as an alternative to surgery for more patients in the coming year or two.’