Instant test to spot bowel cancer soon

London, Jan 2 (UNI) An instant bowel cancer test will soon be available, scientists said.

They said the urine test, which looks for the earliest signs of the disease, could prevent thousands of deaths every year, as bowel cancer is treatable if caught early enough.

Unlike existing tests which need to be sent to a laboratory for analysis, it will give an instant result.

The Open University team behind the research said the new test is designed to help people find out if they are at risk long before the disease develops, giving them time to change their lifestyles and diet.

The researchers hope that their test will give a simple positive or negative result, the Daily Mail reported.

Dr Maria Velasco- Garcia said, ''We are very excited about this piece of research as it will mean that more people can be screened before the cancer has started to develop.'' Those at risk would be told of the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight, increasing exercise and eating a healthy diet with limited red meat and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

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