Ellie Wilcock, who has advanced bowel cancer, has shared the symptoms she experienced before her diagnosis in a bid to raise awareness of the disease – and there’s one in particular she wishes she paid more attention to
A woman battling stage 3 bowel cancer has bravely shared the symptoms she experienced prior to her diagnosis, including one she regrets not recognising sooner. Bowel cancer is one of the UK’s most prevalent cancers, representing approximately 11% of all new cancer cases.
Each year, around 44,000 people are diagnosed with it, and over 16,800 individuals lose their lives to the disease.
Ellie Wilcock, who is living with an advanced stage of bowel cancer, took to social media to highlight four symptoms that led to her diagnosis. She emphasised one symptom in particular that could have led to an earlier diagnosis had she identified it sooner.
“Number one was pain in the left-hand side of my tummy and my pelvis,” Ellie explained. “I thought for a long time that it was a urine infection and it might have gone to my kidneys because it’s kind of one-sided and it went from my front round my back.”
“But all of my infection markers were coming back clear, so I didn’t have an infection in my body, which is why I went for further tests.”, reports Surrey Live.
The NHS notes abdominal pain, a lump in the abdomen, and bloating as potential indicators of bowel cancer. Conditions like IBS can mask these signs, as they share similar symptoms with common digestive issues.
It’s crucial to seek medical advice if there’s any uncertainty.
Ellie also mentioned fatigue as a symptom to be aware of. “Number two was fatigue,” Ellie said. “So normally I would get up, go to work, come home, then maybe go to the gym or cook dinner or see a friend. But I was basically getting home from work and falling asleep for the rest of the evening.”
Fatigue is recognized as a symptom of various types of cancer.
The NHS warns that “feeling very tired for no reason” could be a sign of bowel cancer, though it can also indicate other conditions, not all related to cancer.
Ellie noted changes in her bowel habits as another significant symptom: “Number three was one I didn’t notice but one in hindsight that I probably had, [it] was a change in my bowel habits and blood in my poo. So this is one to really keep an eye on.”
She urged vigilance about bowel health: “Check your poo. I’m such an advocate for that,” she remarked. Ellie believes that had she been aware of changes in her bowel movements sooner, she might have detected her cancer before it progressed to stage 4.
The NHS identifies several symptoms as potential early warnings of bowel cancer, including changes in bowel habits like softer stools, diarrhoea or constipation that’s unusual for the individual; needing to defecate more or less frequently than normal; presence of blood in the stool, which may appear red or black; bleeding from the bottom; and frequently feeling the urge to defecate even after just having done so. Weight loss or changes in appetite are also listed.
“Number four, I would say for me, [was] lack of appetite,” Ellie concluded. “On official symptoms, this goes down as an unexplained weight loss. For me, I wasn’t actually losing weight because the lack of appetite was quite infrequent. Most of the time, my appetite was fine.”
What Each Zodiac Sign Should Eat Before Sleeping
- Aries (March 21 – April 19) – High-Protein Snack
As a fiery and energetic sign, Aries burns a lot of calories throughout the day. To keep their metabolism in check and prevent waking up hungry at midnight, a protein-rich snack is ideal. Greek yogurt with honey, almonds, or a boiled egg will help them recharge without feeling too heavy before bed.
- Taurus (April 20 – May 20) – Comforting & Soothing Food
Taurus loves food, and they need something that feels indulgent yet healthy. A warm bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon and honey or a banana with peanut butter will satisfy their cravings and promote better sleep.
- Gemini (May 21 – June 20) – Light & Fun Snack
Geminis get bored easily, even with food. They need variety, so a mix of popcorn and nuts, a small fruit platter, or cheese crackers will keep things interesting while being easy to digest before bed.
- Cancer (June 21 – July 22) – Calming & Cozy Drinks
Being emotional and sensitive, Cancers need something comforting before sleep. A cup of chamomile tea with honey, warm milk with cinnamon, or a small bowl of rice pudding can help them relax and drift off into a peaceful sleep.
- Leo (July 23 – August 22) – Luxurious & Indulgent Treats
Leos love feeling pampered, even in their snacks. A small piece of dark chocolate, a cheese and cracker platter, or a few slices of mango with yogurt will give them that sense of indulgence while also being a great nighttime snack.
- Virgo (August 23 – September 22) – Healthy & Balanced Choice
Virgos prefer clean and nutritious foods. A banana smoothie with almond milk, a handful of walnuts, or chia seed pudding will give them the nutrients they need without upsetting their digestion before bedtime.
- Libra (September 23 – October 22) – Aesthetic & Tasty Snacks
Libras appreciate beauty and harmony, even in their food. A colorful fruit salad with yogurt, a slice of whole-grain toast with almond butter, or a few pieces of dark chocolate-covered strawberries will satisfy both their taste buds and their aesthetic sense.
- Scorpio (October 23 – November 21) – Deep & Intense Flavors
Scorpios love deep, rich flavors. Dark berries like blueberries and blackberries, spicy herbal tea with ginger, or a few pieces of dark chocolate will match their mysterious and intense personality.
- Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) – Adventurous & Exotic Snacks
Sagittarians love trying new things, even at night. A granola bar with dried exotic fruits, pistachios, or a slice of avocado toast with chili flakes will keep them excited while being a light pre-bedtime meal.
- Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) – Classic & Reliable Foods
Capricorns prefer practical and timeless choices. Whole wheat peanut butter toast, a handful of walnuts, or a small bowl of cottage cheese with honey provides the right balance of nutrition and simplicity.
- Aquarius (January 20 – February 18) – Quirky & Unconventional Snacks
Aquarians enjoy trying unusual things. Seaweed chips, hummus with whole-grain crackers, or avocado slices with lemon and salt will match their unique taste while keeping them full before bed.
- Pisces (February 19 – March 20) – Dreamy & Comforting Food
Pisces loves soft, dreamy foods. A bowl of warm cereal with milk, a small cup of chamomile tea with honey, or a spoonful of honey-drizzled yogurt will help them feel cozy and ready to dive into their dreams.