Diarrhoea

Read about the symptoms, causes and treatment of diarrhoea when you have cancer. 

Symptoms of diarrhoea

Diarrhoea is when you need to poo more often than you normally do in one day, and the poo is soft or runny.

Causes of diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can be a side effect of cancer treatment or the cancer itself. Diarrhoea may be worse if you have a combination of treatments. 

Assessing diarrhoea

Your doctor or nurse will ask you questions and do tests to assess how severe your diarrhoea is and whether you need treatment.

Treating diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can cause you to lose a lot of fluid very quickly. There are treatments that can help.

Tips on coping with diarrhoea

There are things you can do to help you cope with diarrhoea caused by cancer or its treatment.

Last reviewed: 
29 Nov 2022
Next review due: 
29 Nov 2025