I’M all too aware of the devastating impact that bowel cancer can have on people’s lives; my mother successfully beat the disease, but sadly my grandfather lost his battle.

This April, during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, I’ve signed up to Beating Bowel Cancer’s Lift the Lid Day.

On Wednesday April 16, the charity is encouraging everyone to start up a conversation about bowel cancer.

By lifting the lid on the condition, we can help beat the taboo surrounding it.

If caught early over 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully.

That’s why it’s so important to spread the word about symptoms.

Whether it’s a chat over coffee with your family, putting up a poster at work, or encouraging an older relative to take up their screening invitation, every conversation you have could be lifesaving.

So help me Lift the Lid on bowel cancer and let’s beat bowel cancer together: Visit beatingbowelcancer.org/liftthelid.

Matt Dawson MBE Patron of Beating Bowel Cancer