Bowel cancer symptoms: four ways to slash your risk of disease

* More than half of bowel cancer cases are preventable * Eating less red and processed meat could lower your risk of disease * Maintaing a healthy weight and reducing alcohol intake lowers

your risk * Eat more fruit, vegetables and pulses to prevent bowel cancer Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers to be diagnosed in the UK, according to the NHS. Signs of the disease

include finding blood in your stool, or a persistent change in bowel habits. Bloating or lower tummy pain may also be symptoms of the condition. You could lower your risk of bowel cancer by

making these four lifestyle changes. “People in the UK can be quite slow at going to see their GP, and this can be for a number of reasons,” said Bupa’s Director of Clinical Strategy, Dr

Lizzie Tuckey. “Some may not be aware that their symptoms should be checked out, or they may feel embarrassed, particularly for conditions such as bowel cancer. “More than half of cases of

bowel cancer are preventable – because they are linked to unhealthy lifestyles and other risk factors.” The NHS added: “Although there are some risks you can't change, such as your

family history or your age, there are several ways you can lower your chances of developing the condition.” Cutting back on red and processed meat could lower your risk of developing bowel

cancer, according to Tuckey. Maintaining a healthy weight and reducing your alcohol intake may also prevent the disease. The best way to protect yourself against bowel cancer is to boost the

amount of fibre you’re eating. Good sources of fibre include fruit, vegetables, beans, pulses and wholegrains. See a GP if you’re worried about the symptoms of bowel cancer. You’re more at

risk of the condition if you have a close relative who developed the disease under the age of 50. About 42,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK every year. Across the same

time period, around 16,000 people die of the disease.