This April, people are being asked to make small changes to their diet and lifestyle to reduce their risk of developing bowel cancer.
Research suggests that the more exercise a person takes the less likely they are to develop bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK and around 350 new cases are detected in Lanarkshire every year.
There are many factors that put people more at risk including, poor diet, inactive lifestyle, smoking, alcohol and family history.
Bowel cancer can affect men and women at any age although 97 per cent of all diagnoses' are in people over the age of 50.
Symptoms can include:
- A change in your normal bowel movements for more than four weeks
- Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your bowel motion
- A pain or lump in your belly
- Unexplained extreme tiredness or unexplained weight loss.
You may experience some or all of these symptoms, however, it is worth remembering that having one or all will not necessarily mean you have bowel cancer.
The most important thing is to contact your GP as soon as you suspect any abnormalities.
In Scotland, all 50 to 74 year-olds are being invited to take part in the bowel screening programme every two years.
It involves taking a test at home which checks for blood in your bowel movement.
Make sure you are registered with your local GP to get your invitation to take part.
For more information visit www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
or phone the Bowel Cancer Advisory Service - freephone 0800 8 40 35 40