BBC journalist Jeremy Bowen, 64, reveals the 'unusual' symptoms he had before being diagnosed with bowel cancer as he urges fans to 'get tested'

Jeremy Bowen has revealed the ‘unusual’ symptoms he had before being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

The BBC journalist revealed on social media today that he had been discharged from the Royal Marsden Hospital after his diagnosis of stage 3 bowel cancer aged 59.

He spent more than five years receiving treatment from the hospital, located in Chelsea, west London.

Mr Bowen took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared a selfie outside the entrance and wrote: ‘Discharged 5 years & 4 months after diagnosis of stage 3 bowel cancer – it was in my lymph nodes plus the highly undesirable B-RAF mutation.

‘Get tested if you have something weird happening in your bowels, or even if you haven’t. I had none of the usual symptoms.’

The BBC journalist revealed on social media today that he had been discharged from the Royal Marsden Hospital after his diagnosis of stage 3 bowel cancer aged 59

A user asked him what his unusual symptoms where, to which the international editor said he had ‘agonising’ stomach cramps

Mr Bowen took to X to share his symptoms with his followers

A user asked him what his unusual symptoms were, to which the international editor said he had ‘agonising’ stomach cramps.

The pain was diagnosed as bowel adhesions on scar tissue from a hernia operation.

He wrote: ‘Maybe they weren’t cancer signs – but made me think i should get a test. Even though ‘too young’ for a routine NHS test at 58 Dr Cotton my GP agreed I should have one.’

He then went on to to reassure someone else who was starting their treatment at the same hospital next week.

Mr Bowen said: ‘I liked being at that hospital even when I felt ill.’

Last year, the 64-year-old revealed that his diagnosis helped him find a new sense of perspective on life.

Speaking on Desert Island Discs, the BBC’s 63-year-old international editor says: ‘There have been some very difficult moments. I ended up a few years ago with very severe depression. I took time off work. I took meds.

‘I had cancer a few years ago and, touch wood, I have been in remission now for four-and-a-half years and it was quite a serious tumour.

‘So I think that has also helped me get a sense of perspective on life because I have always been a glass half-full rather than a half-empty person, and that maybe changed for a while.

‘I think actually having had cancer brought back the more optimistic Jeremy.’

Doctors discovered Mr Bowen’s tumour after he noticed what he called ‘funny pains in my legs and in my back’.

He had surgery before a successful course of chemotherapy and his decision to speak out about his diagnosis encouraged thousands of people to undergo tests.

Bowel cancer symptoms  

The main symptoms of bowel cancer, according to the NHS, may 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

The NHS urges anyone who has any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or more to see their GP

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