The NHS explains: “When you first see a GP, they’ll ask about your symptoms and whether you have a family history of bowel cancer.”
According to the health body, your GP may carry out a number of tests. It says: “They’ll usually carry out a simple examination of your bottom, known as a digital rectal examination (DRE), and examine your tummy (abdomen).”
There are also a number of ways to reduce your risk. Cancer Research says that eating a diet with lots of foods high in fibre reduces your risk of bowel cancer. The charity says that around nine in 10 people in the UK are not meeting the recommended amount of fibre a day.
The NHS says that government guidelines say our dietary fibre intake should increase to 30g a day, as part of a healthy balanced diet. Most adults are only eating an average of about 18g a day.
