You can cut your risk by eating less animal fat (such as fatty meat, butter, lard and ghee) and more fresh and raw fruit and vegetables. Wholemeal cereals and flour, and nuts, are also good.

Red and yellow fruits and vegetables including carrots, tomatoes, melons and apricots, as well as spinach, are believed to help prevent the formation of polyps.

If you do drink alcohol, drink it in small amounts. Not more than two units per day for women, and three units a day for men, are recommended. A unit is equal to about half a pint of beer, or a standard pub measure of wine or spirits.

There is evidence that regular exercise has a protective effect.

Recent research suggests that taking a 300mg aspirin tablet daily may protect against the development of colon cancer. The reasons are not fully understood. Seek advice from your GP before taking aspirin protectively.

If you would like more information on healthier eating, the Department of Health website has information on:

• drinking sensibly, including a specific page for young people, and good links to other sites
• eating more fruit and vegetables, in line with the NHS Cancer Plan and the government's '5 a day' programme
• smoking

The Food Standards Agency website contains lots of food safety and healthy eating advice. It is regularly updated and covering the latest news.

Be watchful

Become more self-aware. Pay attention to your bowel movements and especially to any changes that take place. A healthy bowel movement is regular and easy. Look for a change towards diarrhoea, or towards diarrhoea and constipation combined. Your stools will be different shades of brown if you are eating a healthy, varied diet.

Don't be embarrassed! Be direct and open about your symptoms with your GP – it could save your life.

Your family history

If you have a close relative (parent, brother or sister, half-brother or half-sister) who developed bowel cancer before the age of 45 – or if there have been several cases of the cancer in your family – your doctor may refer you to a family history clinic. There are guidelines to help your GP decide who to refer. The clinic staff can assess your risk of developing bowel cancer. Staff will counsel you and give you advice about tests and treatment.

If you are found to be in a high risk group, you will be offered appropriate screening.

• Click here for information on cancer prevention in general