Hugh Morris Death: What Is Bowel Cancer, the Disease the Former England Cricketer Was Battling?

Former

English cricketer and Glamorgan batter Hugh Morris died at the age of 62 after battling years of bowel cancer. Before that, Morris was also diagnosed with throat cancer in 2002, when he was a patron of Heads Up, a charity that focuses on head and neck cancer. Morris was Glamorgan’s youngest ever captain at the age of 22 before returning to the role later in his career, leading them to the Sunday League title in 1993, their first trophy in 24 years.

What is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal or colon cancer, happens when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the colon or rectum, usually starting as small growths, also known as polyps, that can become cancerous over time, leading to symptoms like changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal pain, and fatigue, and can spread to other parts of the body. It is a common cancer, often linked to lifestyle factors like diet, obesity, smoking, and genetics, but early detection through screening significantly improves outcomes. According to doctors, bowel cancer is a very serious condition and takes years to develop. In the later stages, it becomes very difficult to treat, but removing precancerous polyps can stop colon cancer before it starts. An early diagnosis and treatment to remove cancerous polyps may cure the disease.

What causes bowel cancer?

Experts say bowel cancer happens when genetic mutations turn healthy colon cells into cancerous cells, which then divide and multiply to make cancerous colon polyps. Over time, cancer grows through the layers of muscle and tissue that make up your colon wall. Eventually, it passes through your bowel wall and begins to spread outside your colon. A few factors that increase your risk of bowel cancer include:

• Eating a diet low in fibre
• High consumption of red meat—especially processed meats
• Being overweight or obese
• High consumption of alcohol
• Smoking tobacco and cigarettes
• Inherited genetic risk and family history
• Inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease
• Polyps
• Having a previous diagnosis of bowel cancer

Signs and symptoms of bowel cancer

A few signs and symptoms of bowel cancer include:

• Change in bowel habit, including diarrhoea, constipation, or the feeling of incomplete emptying
• A change in the appearance or consistency of bowel movements, such as thin bowel stools
• Blood in the stools
• Abdominal pain, bloating, or cramping
• Anal or rectal pain
• A lump in the anus or rectum
• Weight loss
• Unexplained fatigue
• Tiredness or anemia, which causes pale complexion, weakness, and breathlessness
• Blood in the urine or passing urine frequently or during the night, a change in urine colour, which is dark, rusty, or brown