Irish Cancer Society launches bowel cancer campaign
The Irish Cancer Society has said it is time people stopped being embarrassed about bowel cancer.
The group is launching its Bowel Cancer Awareness campaign today and said a main reason why so many people are diagnosed too late, is because they are embarrassed to talk about the symptoms with their doctor.
More the 2,000 people were diagnosed with the disease in Ireland in 2009.
Nursing Services Manager with the Irish Cancer Society Joan Kelly tells us what the early warning signs of bowel cancer are.
Ms Kelly said: "The early warning signs are an alteration in bowel habits, maybe more constipation or more diarrhoaea.
"Also blood is a serious issue as in blood in stools, if there is pain or discomfort in any way and also if there is a feeling of not being able to go to the toilet comfortably or the feeling that there is something still there having gone to the toilet."
