Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK - each year more than 37,500 people are diagnosed with the disease, more than 100 people every day.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's director of cancer information said: "Bowel cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK after lung cancer."We already know that at least 10 per cent of bowel cancers in the UK are related to being overweight or obese. We know a diet with lots of red and processed meat will increase the chances of developing bowel cancer whereas a fibre-rich diet reduces the risk.

"Some studies suggest that GSTP levels could be boosted by chemicals found in vegetables like broccoli. If this can be confirmed in humans, it could suggest another way of reducing the risk of bowel cancer." 

Source: Cancer Research UK