If you thought you saw about a dozen walking poo emojis waving placards through town earlier, your eyes weren’t deceiving you. A ‘dirty protest’ took place in Manchester today (April 18) with an important message for passers-by.
Messages including ‘poo is not taboo’, ‘let’s chat s***’ and ‘actions speak louder than turds’ were held up as the demonstration urged Mancunians to think and speak about bowel cancer. “Protest ‘Number Two’ aims to remind more Mancs than ever that poo is not taboo,” said Dr Chun Tang, who lost his father to bowel cancer 15 years ago.
“This year we are going bigger and harder, pushing the message out that talking about bowel habits and being aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer could save your life. A quarter of the nation admit to being too embarrassed to talk about poo habits or concerns something is not quite right.
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“That’s why we are encouraging people to be open and honest when it comes to toilet talk and educating on what to look out for.” Bowel cancer is the UK’s second-biggest cancer killer after lung cancer, with around 17,000 lives taken by it every year.
But according to Pall Mall Medical, many of the warning signs can often be dismissed. The three main symptoms of bowel cancer are blood in stools, changes in bowel habits – such as more frequent, looser stools – and constant or intermittent pain in your stomach.
Yet these common symptoms can also point to less serious health problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), piles and food intolerances. On average 120 people are diagnosed daily with bowel cancer in the UK and 46 die from the disease – yet most would survive if diagnoses were caught early, Pall Mall Medical says.
A recent survey from Pall Mall found that 53 per cent of Brits have not attended a bowel cancer screening offered to them, while just 46 per cent are confident in checking their bodies overall for potential signs of cancer. This reluctance results in the death of one in 15 men and one in 18 women on average, Pall Mall says.
A further 27 per cent admit they are too embarrassed to discuss the topic with their doctors and make an appointment, the poll found. As well as losing his father to the illness, Dr Tang also has a brother who was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
Fortunately, his symptoms were detected early enough for him to make a full recovery, and the experience led to Dr Tang raising awareness during the protest, which coincides with Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. He added: “If you’ve noticed a change in your loo habits, or you feel something isn’t quite right, don’t hold it in. Talk to friends, loved ones and of course healthcare providers.
“It’s also essential to attend annual bowel cancer screenings and colonoscopy appointments for crucial for early detection and prevention. Don’t let embarrassment deter you from prioritising your heath.”
Dr Tang introduced the ColoAlert bowel cancer home test to the UK, which is an advanced home testing kit. Pall Mall says testing is recommended every three years from the age of 45, while the standard NHS FIT home test is offered to people aged 60 to 74.
Social media star Lucy Jane, an expert on bowel issues, also joined the protest alongside Hollyoaks actress Jazmine Franks, whose mother beat bowel cancer. Lucy describes herself as a ‘Stoma Warrior’ because she lives with a waste collecting stoma bag which she styles to match her outfits.
She said: “Everyone assumes that going to the loo is some kind of taboo. Break the silence, talk openly with friends, and stay informed. Your willingness to chat s*** could save a life.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
