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Be there on time

The Dutch Digestive Health Fund is committed to curing gastrointestinal diseases. But we would rather prevent people from becoming ill in the first place. Prevention is better than cure! That is why the Dutch Digestive Health Fund is one of the initiators of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme. Thanks to this screening programme, many lives have already been saved because cancer was detected at a very early stage. The Dutch Digestive Health Fund is now committed to lowering the age for this screening from 55 to 50. This will enable us to help prevent even more cases of bowel cancer.

Early detection is also possible if people go to the doctor in time with symptoms. The 7 signs test for bowel cancer is very important in this regard.

Finally, the Dutch Digestive Health Fund is committed to a healthy living environment for everyone. We are happy to provide information about healthy living. And we lobby the government to ensure that healthy living is achievable for everyone.

The 7 signs of bowel cancer. Do you know them all?

Take the test

Complaints and alarm signals

In general, it is wise to consult your doctor if you notice any changes in your body.

Symptoms and warning signs that may indicate an intestinal disorder include:

  • Blood and/or mucus in the stool;
  • A permanent change in bowel movement pattern or type of stool.
  • Everyone has a certain bowel movement pattern. If this suddenly changes permanently, it may indicate an intestinal disorder.
  • Unexplained weight loss;
  • Persistent diarrhoea or diarrhoea with high fever;
  • Persistent abdominal pain, flatulence, cramps or other abdominal discomfort;
  • Sudden severe abdominal pain;
  • The feeling that your bowel is not completely empty after a bowel movement;
  • A constant feeling of urgency that does not go away after a bowel movement;
  • Persistent fatigue and/or dizziness;
  • This may indicate anaemia. Anaemia is a condition that can occur with various disorders of the digestive tract.
  • If you have blood in your stool, it is always wise to make an appointment with your GP.
  • If you have diarrhoea with a high fever, or sudden severe abdominal pain with fever, it is also advisable to contact your GP.

For other symptoms, if they do not disappear within about two weeks, go to your GP.

All these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a serious condition; they can also be caused by harmless illnesses. If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is important to discuss this with your GP. They can assess whether further investigation is necessary.

In general, it is wise to consult your general practitioner if you notice any changes in your body.

Symptoms and warning signs that may indicate a disorder of the liver, bile ducts and/or gallbladder include:

  • Regular vomiting
  • Persistent nausea or frequent feeling of nausea
  • Jaundice; yellowing of the skin and/or whites of the eyes
  • Discoloured, white-yellow stools
  • Severe or persistent itching
  • Reduced appetite
  • Severe or persistent pain in the upper right abdomen
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Persistent fatigue

If you experience sudden severe pain in your upper right abdomen, it is advisable to make an appointment with your general practitioner. If you have discoloured stools, it is also advisable to contact your doctor. For other symptoms, if they do not disappear within approximately two weeks, consult your general practitioner.

All these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a serious condition; they can also be caused by harmless illnesses. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it is important to discuss this with your GP. They will be able to assess whether further investigation is necessary.

It is wise to consult your doctor if you notice any changes in your body.

Symptoms and warning signs that may indicate a disorder of the oesophagus or stomach include:

  • the feeling that food is not going down
  • unexplained weight loss
  • regular vomiting or vomiting (small amounts) of blood
  • persistent pain in your upper abdomen or behind your breastbone
  • loss of appetite
  • black stools (this may indicate bleeding in the oesophagus or stomach)
  • persistent fatigue and/or dizziness (this may indicate anaemia).

If you feel that your food is not going down properly or if you vomit blood, it is wise to make an appointment with your GP. You should also contact your doctor if you notice black stools or severe pain in your upper abdomen or behind your breastbone. For other symptoms, if they do not disappear within about two weeks, go to your GP.

All these symptoms do not necessarily indicate a serious condition; they can also be caused by harmless illnesses. If you have one or more of these symptoms, it is important to discuss this with your GP. They can assess whether further investigation is necessary.