One in three affected by bowel cancer

BOWEL cancer among the younger people is becoming more common but the condition generally attacks those over 50.

Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, said that Scott was among just three per cent of people who develop the condition young.

She said: "Sadly we are seeing increasing numbers of bowel cancer diagnoses amongst those in their 20s and 30s, but we should also remember the risk of the disease increases with age – in fact, 97 per cent of cases are in the over-50s. This is why bowel screening in Scotland targets men and women between the ages of 50-74.

"For many years it's been widely and wrongly believed that younger people don't get bowel cancer which in some instances has led them to either ignore their symptoms and not seek help or to be misdiagnosed and their referral for treatment delayed. This is why it is so very important to raise the levels of bowel cancer awareness and encourage those that experience symptoms to visit their GP."