Michael Norwood (pictured) is one of 10 specialist bowel cancer surgeons who works at Leicester's hospitals.

They carry out about 400 operations a year on patients who have been diagnosed with the disease.

Mr Norwood, who also works at the Nuffield Hospital, in Leicester, said: "Bowel cancer is one of the more common cancers. About one in 20 people will develop it during their lifetime.

"However, it is a highly treatable cancer if it is caught an early stage. In these cases, the survival rate is over 90 per cent of patients."

Latest available figures show that in 2008 there were almost 570 cases of bowel cancer across Leicestershire and Rutland.

It also claimed the lives of 221 people.

A national screening programme was set up in April 2006 and now all men and women in their 60s are sent a home-testing kit every two years.

Mr Norwood said: "I think there has been a bit of reluctance in the past about people going to their GP because of embarrassment.

"But, I do think that they are now beginning to get over this as we have seen a rise in the number of people taking part in the national screening programme."

He added: "We are still not sure of the cause of bowel cancer but a good healthy diet which is high in fibre and fruit can protect against it.

"It is very important that if anyone, especially over the age of 50, has a change in their bowel habit for any length of time they should go and see their GP.