The risk of getting the second biggest cancer killer can be influenced by certain food and drink.
Bowel cancer is caused by cells changing and growing in the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum, reports the Mirror.
As cancer cells divide and multiply in the body very quickly, the disease can be quite hard to detect, often lowering survival rates.
Recent research published in journal Gut has revealed a connection between sugar-sweetened beverages and the risk of developing bowel cancer.
Here’s what you need to know about it...
Which popular drink is 'doubling' the risk of bowel cancer?
The research from Gut revealed drinking two or more sugar-sweetened beverages daily in adulthood was linked to a "doubling" in the risk of bowel cancer before the age of 50 - at least in women.
The study from Gut monitored 95,464 participants over 24 years, taking into account what they ate and drank as well as family history of bowel cancer and lifestyle.
Over the years, it was found that 109 women developed bowel cancer before the age of 50, with higher intake of sugar-sweetened drinks in adulthood being connected to higher risk of the disease.
Those who drank two or more servings of the drink every day were thought to be twice as likely to develop bowel cancer, compared to women who drank less than one serving in a week.
What are the symptoms of bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. According to the NHS website, more than 90% of people with bowel cancer have one or a combinations of the following symptoms:
A persistent change in bowel habit – pooing more often, with looser, runnier poos and sometimes tummy (abdominal) pain. The shape of your poo may also be narrow.
Blood in the poo without other symptoms of piles (haemorrhoids) – this makes it unlikely the cause is haemorrhoids
Abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating – this could result in a reduction in the amount of food eaten and weight loss.
If you’re worried about any signs or symptoms, contact your GP and/or check the NHS website for more information.
