Dr Pollok has a particular interest in inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), this consists of two main conditions ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease. UC often presents with rectal bleeding or bloody diarrhoea and Crohn’s disease can present in a variety of ways for example diarrhoea, abdo pain, weight loss or uncomfortable problems around the anus. Both conditions tend to occur for the first time in young people and can run in the family. To diagnose these conditions blood tests, stool tests, radiological imaging and colonoscopy are needed. There is a slightly increased risk of bowel cancer in colitis and surveillance colonoscopy is recommended in national guidelines. Also see the section on bowel cancer surveillance and why not listen to Prof Pollok talking about bowel cancer and colonoscopy in a recent radio interview.
For further information look at the Crohn’s and Colitis UK website which is a charity run for patients with IBD and is a reliable source https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
If you’re worried you could have IBD check out Crohn’s and Colitis Symptom Checker