🌍Spreading Awareness🌍
⭐OSTOMY AWARENESS MONTH
Ostomy Awareness Day in the UK takes place through events and campaigns in April 2026, with multiple activities organised by ostomy charities like the Ileostomy & Internal Pouch Association (IA) and Colostomy UK. 🙌🏻
Colostomy UK offers guidance, support, and information for people living with a stoma, including tips for daily life and recovery.
Guts UK participates in digestive system awareness campaigns, which often include ostomy-related tips!
If you are an ostomate and you have any concerns, please speak with your GP or your stoma nurse.
⭐BOWEL CANCER AWARENESS
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month 2026 takes place throughout April, focusing on early detection, education, and support for those affected by bowel cancer.
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is a global health campaign held every April, aimed at increasing public understanding of bowel cancer, known as colorectal cancer. Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with nearly 44,000 new cases diagnosed annually. 🗓️
Symptoms to watch out for:👀
Persistent changes in bowel habits
Blood in the stool
Unexplained weight loss
Abdominal pain
Fatigue or signs of anaemia
Experiencing these symptoms does not necessarily indicate cancer, but it is important to consult a GP if they persist for 3 weeks or more.⌛
🔗Macmillan Bowel Cancer Awareness Month🔗
⭐CROHN’S & COLITIS AWARENESS MONTH
Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month is observed every May, including in 2026, to raise awareness about inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and support those living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Month is an annual campaign aimed at increasing public understanding of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.💭
These conditions affect the digestive system, causing symptoms such as frequent diarrhoea, abdominal pain, urgency to use the bathroom, and bleeding or mucous production.
⭐BLADDER CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Bladder Cancer Awareness Month is observed every May to raise awareness about bladder cancer, promote early detection, and support patients and caregivers worldwide.🌍
Bladder cancer Awareness Month is recognised globally each May, highlighting a cancer that affects hundreds of thousands of people annually, but often remains under recognised or misdiagnosed.
Symptoms to watch out for:👀
Blood in your urine
Urinary symptoms (having a burning feeling when passing urine, needing to urinate more often, feeling like you have not completely emptied your bladder after urinating)
Pain in the lower part of the stomach or back
🔗Macmillan Bladder Cancer Awareness Month🔗
⭐HEAD AND NECK CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
April is designated as Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, during which charities and health organisations focus on raising public awareness about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of head and neck cancers, including mouth, throat, larynx, salivary glands, nose, sinuses, lips and skin cancers.
During April, campaigns often include:
Educational videos and resources highlighting early detection, prevention, and treatment options for head and neck cancers
Public engagement initiatives to inform about risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and HPV infection
Support for patients and families, including links to local charities and national organisations (HANCUK) providing practical help and guidance
⭐SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE⭐
If you’re feeling uncertain or worried, help is available.
NHS – Cancer symptoms and advice
Macmillan Cancer Support (Free Support Line: 0808 808 00 00 8am-8pm, 7 days a week)