Seven important warning signs as doctor warns people are never 'too young for bowel cancer'

While improvements in science and technology mean that many cancer numbers are generally on the decline, the opposite can be said about bowel cancer.

It's not known for sure what is driving up the number of cases of colorectal cancer, particularly among young people, but many have theorised that the prevalence of ultra-processed foods in young people's diets plays a significant part.

With it now recognised as the fourth most common cancer here in the UK, more and more people are growing concerned about it, and as with many other cancers, early diagnosis could be key to beating it.

Dr Amir Khan (not the boxer), recently appeared on This Morning to discuss the rise in cases and why we are never to young to be diagnosed with it.

He said: "We are seeing younger people getting diagnosed with bowel cancer right across the board, particularly in wealthier countries. We think that is because of several things that happen all throughout life, and it starts in childhood.

"We're seeing it in these generations more so now than we did in previous generations. It's exposure to ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, being overweight and a sedentary lifestyle."

Dr Amir Khan (ThisMorning)

The doctor explained that a number of factors such as these can 'add up over time' and that's why we are seeing so many more cases, particularly in people under the age of 50.

Adding to his previous comments, the doctor posted on Instagram: "Whilst age remains the biggest risk factor for bowel cancer we are seeing increases in the number of young people getting diagnosed with is, especially in high and middle income countries.

"It’s never anyone’s fault they get cancer, but cancer research UK suggest 54 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be prevented through eating Whole Foods especially plants with lots of fibre, minimising alcohol, stopping smoking, keeping active and getting to a healthy weight."

Mel Schilling died after a battle with cancer earlier this year (Don Arnold/WireImage)

Bowel cancer has hit the headlines after affecting the likes of actor James Van Der Beek and MAFS Australia host Mel Schilling in recent years, with both sadly losing their battles with the disease earlier this year.

Anyone who is worried about potentially having bowel cancer should go and visit their GP immediately, particularly if they notice blood in their stool or a change in bowel habits, while a family history of the disease is also worth chatting to a doctor about.

According to Cancer Research UK, possible symptoms of the bowel (colorectal) cancer can include:

• bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in your poo
• a change in your normal bowel habit, such as looser poo, pooing more often or constipation
• a lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or tummy (abdomen)
• a feeling of needing to strain in your back passage (as if you need to poo), even after opening your bowels
• losing weight when you haven’t been trying to
• pain in your abdomen or back passage
• tiredness and breathlessness caused by a lower than normal level of red blood cells (anaemia)