No Ifs, No Butts: New campaign raising awareness of bowel cancer

  • Watch a video report by Lauren Hall


The ITV daytime show Lorraine presented by Lorraine Kelly wants us to feel more comfortable about discussing our toilet habits and to overcome any embarrassment. 

The No Butts campaign, which is being supported by the charity Bowel Cancer UK, urges us all to pay attention to our bodies and watch out for any unusual symptoms.

Lorraine Kelly launches new cancer campaign Credit: ITV Yorkshire

In the UK, someone is diagnosed with bowel cancer every 15 minutes and a person dies from the disease every half hour. 

Bowel cancer is our second deadliest cancer but is treatable and curable if caught early enough.

The disease is more common in the over 50s but affects people of all ages. 

Deborah James was 35 when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.

She is well known for talking openly about her experience on social media and on the podcast You, Me and the Big C.

Deborah wants people to understand the signs and symptoms to catch it early.

Paul Fisher from Northampton is getting treatment for his advanced bowel cancer Credit: ITV News Anglia

Paul Fisher from Northampton has bowel cancer at an advanced stage, but treatment's keeping it under control.

He says he'll never forget the moment he was diagnosed, just over three years ago.

Paul said: "It was traumatic. You worry about the future and your family. It was horrendous."

Michelle Dorrian from Saffron Walden in Essex has now been given the all-clear.

She says the disease had a lasting impact and she's still trying to get back to normal.

Michelle Dorrian from Saffron Walden says having bowel cancer has had a lasting impact on her life Credit: ITV News Anglia

Michelle said: "To my children, to my family - I don't like to give all my fears and anxieties away but it has actually changed me.

"It's made be very anxious, very anxious - I'm just trying to get back on track really."

The No Butts campaign was launched this week on ITV’s Lorraine to coincide with Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. For more information head to https://www.itv.com/lorraine/.


Symptoms of bowel cancer

  • Blood coming from your bottom or in your stools

  • Obvious change in bowel habit

  • Weight loss you can't explain

  • Extreme tiredness

  • Lump and/or pain in your tummy


More sources of information about bowel cancer