BOWEL cancer rates among men have risen by nearly 30 per cent in the last 35 years, while women have seen an increase of only six per cent, according to new figures from Cancer Research UK.
The new statistics are released as The Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK launches a new awareness and fundraising campaign, Make Bobby Proud, during bowel cancer awareness month (April).
Football fans in the North-East are being urged to wear their favourite teams shirt to work on Friday April 12 - or any other Friday during April - and make a donation to the Bobby Moore Fund.
Every year about 1,000 men and 780 women are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the North-East.
The rates have climbed from 45 cases per 100,000 men in 1975-77 to 58 cases in 2008-10, an overall rise of 29 per cent. But in women cases have only increased very slightly from 35 to 37 per 100,000 in the same time period.
The largest rise in those diagnosed with the disease has been among people in their 60s and 70s, with more than 23,000 now diagnosed each year. The reasons for this rise, and the difference between men and women, are unknown.
But despite the rise in incidence among men, bowel cancer survival is improving year on year, with half of all patients living for at least 10 years after a diagnosis.
Stephanie Moore MBE, founded the Bobby Moore Fund after Bobby died of bowel cancer in 1993.
It has invested around £20m in world bowel cancer research and awareness projects to date.
Mrs Moore said: "It's good to see that despite the rise in incidence, bowel cancer survival is improving. However, it's vital we continue to fund research to fight this disease as these new statistics show.
To mark bowel cancer awareness month, the 'Make Bobby Proud' campaign has been launched to encourage people to fundraise and raise awareness of the disease in this 20th anniversary year of the Bobby Moore Fund.
Helping to spread the message about signs and symptoms, reducing your risk of developing the disease and raising funds towards life saving bowel cancer research will all help to Make Bobby Proud.
To find out more visit www.bobbymoorefund.org You can also text Hero065 to 70070 to donate 5.
More NHS & Health News
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here