Sharon Osbourne encourages toilet habit discussion in campaign against bowel cancer

Former X-Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, who battled with bowel cancer and won, is urging..

13:48 29 August 2012

Former X-Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, who battled with bowel cancer and won, is urging people to discuss any worries they may have concerning their toilet habits.

 

The wife of ‘Prince of Darkness’ Ozzy, advised people to see a health professional if they notice anything amiss, such as bleeding or persistent loose stools, as part of a campaign against bowel cancer.

 

Osbourne insisted people should not be embarrassed to talk about their toilet habits as it might help them stop bowel cancer.

 

She told The Sun: “For goodness sake – we’ve all got a bum and we all poo, so get over it…”

 

The cancer survivor, who is now a firm supporter of the government’s Be Clear on Cancer campaign, added: “The sooner bowel cancer is caught, the more likely the chance of survival.”

 

She emphasized how everyone needs to ‘look out for the symptoms and head straight to the doctor’ if they are worried about anything, saying that: “Early detection could save your life.”

 

“No one likes thinking about cancer, or talking about their poo, ”Care Services Minister Paul Burstow seconded her motion, as reported by The Sun.

 

“But the plain fact is no one dies of embarrassment, they can die of cancer if they don’t get an early diagnosis.”

 

Dr. Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK, reiterated this, as quoted by The Sun: “Detecting bowel tumours early, before they’ve had a chance to spread, can significantly stack the odds in the patient’s favour.”

 

A recent survey conducted by the Department of Health revealed that one in three people are embarrassed to talk about their toilet habits with their doctors.

 

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in England and is the reason behind 13,200 deaths every year.