What is upper gastrointestinal (upper GI) cancer?
Upper GI cancer includes:
• oesophageal cancer
• stomach cancer
• pancreatic cancer
• duodenal cancer
• gall bladder
• bile duct cancer
• liver cancer
• small bowel cancer
Symptoms can include:
• difficulty swallowing
• persistent indigestion or heartburn
• bringing up food soon after eating
• loss of appetite and weight loss
• pain or discomfort in your upper tummy, chest or back
What is lower gastrointestinal (lower GI) cancer?
Lower GI or colorectal cancer includes:
• bowel cancer
• colon cancer
• rectal cancer
Symptoms can include:
• changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
• needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
• blood in your poo, which may look red or black
• bleeding from your bottom
• often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been to the toilet
• tummy pain
• a lump in your tummy
• bloating
• losing weight without trying
• feeling very tired for no reason
What to do if you’re worried:
If you have any of these symptoms, speak to your GP in the first instance. Screening and tests are available when referred by your GP. For lower GI cancers, faecal Immunochemical testing (FIT) can be posted to you after the appointment stage and taken from the comfort of your own home.
If you are aged 55-74 and registered with a GP, you will get a test posted to your home every 2 years automatically People aged 75 and over can request a kit by phoning the NHS bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 60 60 People below 55, can get a test through your GP. Visit the NHS website for more information can be found on testing. It’s important to take your test, to help us catch cancer early