SPORTS star Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known across the globe as Pele died on Thursday at the age of 82.
The Brazil great – regarded by many as the greatest footballer of all time – had been receiving treatment for a tumour in his colon but stopped responding to care.
He had been admitted to Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo on November 29.
The footballer had previously had surgery to remove a tumour from his colon in September 2021.
Since then, he had experienced kidney and prostate problems.
Colon cancer is a type of bowel cancer that affects the large bowel and the back passage.
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Bowel cancer is the UK's fourth most common form of the disease – after breast, prostate and lung.
It's also the UK's second deadliest cancer – claiming a tragic 16,000 lives a year.
What are the 5 symptoms of bowel cancer?
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer, spotting any changes and going to your doctor is vital.
If you notice any of the signs, don't be embarrassed and make sure you speak to your GP.
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Bowel Cancer UK states that five red-flag symptoms of bowel cancer include:
- Bleeding from the back passage, or blood in your poo
- A change in your normal toilet habits – going more frequently for example
- Pain or a lump in your tummy
- Extreme tiredness
- Losing weight
Tumours in the bowel typically bleed, which can cause a shortage of red blood cells, known as anaemia. It can cause tiredness and sometimes breathlessness.
In some cases bowel cancer can block the bowel, this is known as a bowel obstruction.
Less common signs of bowel cancer include:
- Gripping pains in the abdomen
- Feeling bloated
- Constipation and being unable to pass wind
- Being sick
- Feeling like you need to strain – like doing a number two – but after you've been to the loo
Fewer than one in ten people survive bowel cancer if it's picked up at stage 4, but detected quickly – at stage 1 – more than nine in ten patients will live five years or longer.
There are two ways to ensure early diagnosis – screening and awareness. But, Brits are subjected to a bowel cancer screening postcode lottery.
The Sun launched the No Time 2 Lose campaign in April 2018 – to call on the Government to lower the screening age to 50, which could save 4,500 lives annually.
In the summer of 2018, health secretary Matt Hancock announced screening in England would be lowered to 50 – marking a victory for The Sun and campaigners.
The programme expanded to include 56 year olds in 2021.
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