April is bowel cancer awareness month and GPs in Merton are reminding residents to ensure they take part in regular screening.

Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK, but it shouldn’t be as if diagnosed at the early stages it is highly treatable.

On average, 100 people are diagnosed with the condition in Merton every year.

Regular screenings can help to save thousands of lives.

Symptoms of bowel cancer may include, bleeding from the bottom and/or blood in the stool and/or a change in the normal bowel habit lasting three weeks or more.

Other symptoms include extreme tiredness for no obvious reason and unexplained weight loss.

Older people are most at risk of bowel cancer, but younger people can be affected too. Currently, everyone between the ages of 60 and 69 years-old who is registered with a GP is offered screening every two years.

People in this age group will automatically be sent an invitation, then their screening kit, so they can do the test at home.

Dr Andrew Murray, GP and clinical chairman of NHS Merton CCG, said: "Our bowels aren't always on the top of our list of things we choose to talk about but it’s important we do."

If you have any concerns, visit your GP.

For more information on screening and symptoms go to NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk or visit Bowel Cancer UK.