Vince Cable

The St Margaret's based charity, Beating Bowel Cancer, has launched its annual Loud Tie Campaign to draw attention to the extent of bowel cancer - the second biggest cause of cancer deaths in the UK and affecting 1 in 18 people - and to encourage people to talk more freely about the disease.

Vincent Cable MP said: "There is a growing awareness that deaths from the main cancers affecting women - breast and cervical - can be substantially reduced by screening and early treatment. But bowel cancer, which affects men and women, remains frequently undetected until it is too late because those who have early symptoms are too shy and embarrassed to consult their GP or talk to their family. The 'Loud Tie Campaign' is designed to overcome people's inhibitions so that they are forward, get early treatment and arrest the disease before it is too late."