Nearly 6,000 people a year will be diagnosed with bowel cancer by 2045, new research has predicted.
This year alone it is estimated up to 2,800 patients will have the disease and it will kill more than 1,000.
And the numbers affected are set to soar in the coming decades, the Irish Cancer Society said.
To encourage people to get checked out, the organisation’s Joan Kelly said: “Bowel cancer most commonly occurs in people over 60 and is often diagnosed in the later stages.
“However, if bowel cancer is caught early, it is extremely treatable.
“Recent figures showed us 95% of people diagnosed at stage one were alive five years later. That is good news but this is not the case for people diagnosed with stage three and four bowel cancer. We need to work towards increasing the number of people diagnosed in the early stages.”
April is bowel cancer awareness month and the society is encouraging people to use its online health checker to increase early intervention.
Ms Kelly added: “To do this the public need to be aware of the main signs and symptoms such as changes in bowel motions, feeling bloated, pain or discomfort in your tummy, or blood in stools.
“We would encourage anyone who might be interested in checking their bowel health to take our easy online bowel health checker which can be found online. It’s a quick questionnaire and includes a letter which can be brought to your GP.
“The second way we can increase the numbers diagnosed early is by going for bowel screening when called.”
Figures from the Irish Cancer Society show the disease occurs more in males who unfortunately have a low uptake of the services provided to detect the disease.
Dublin woman who lost over 6 stone preparing for London Marathon
Ms Kelly said: “The majority of bowel cancer cases occur in men but only 37% of eligible males have availed of the State’s free screening programme – BowelScreen, compared to 46% of women.
“It is vital people avail of this free, life-saving service that is offered to everyone aged between 60 and 69.
“A healthy lifestyle and a diet high in fibre and wholegrains can also help to reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer.”
To try and avoid the disease, people are being advised to follow a healthy diet but limit the amount of red and processed meat you eat.
Avoid being overweight or obese, maintaining a healthy body weight and exercise for at least 30 minutes every day can all help lower the risk.
As well as limiting the amount of alcohol you consume, the society encourages the public to be aware of your family history and get checked by your doctor if you are concerned.
