January 4, 2008 - An over-the-counter test which reveals whether an individual is at risk of bowel cancer will soon be available. Scientists say the urine test, which looks for the earliest signs of the disease, could prevent thousands of deaths every year.

It will also be available from GP surgeries within a few years. Unlike existing bowel cancer tests which need to be sent to a laboratory for analysis, it will give an instant result.

Bowel cancer is Britain's third most common cancer. More than 36,000 people are diagnosed each year, and it kills more than 16,000.

But despite its prevalence - and the fact that it is treatable if caught early enough - many sufferers leave it too late before seeking medical help.

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, says the Open University team behind the research.

It looks for abnormal pieces of DNA which come from damaged bowel cells. This genetic material - known as DNA adducts - appears in the body at the start of the cancer process.

The researchers hope that their test will give a simple positive or negative result. Anyone at risk of developing cancer would then be given advice on cutting their risk.

The current test for bowel cancer looks for blood in the stools, one of the main indicators of cancerous and precancerous changes.

Dr Maria Velasco- Garcia, from the Open University's department of chemistry and analytical sciences, is leading a study into the urine test.

"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," she said.

The NHS screening programme for bowel cancer is currently available only to people aged 60 to 69. The team hopes the new test will lead to more people across more age groups being checked.

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.

The project is being backed by a £50,000 grant from the World Cancer Research Fund. Earlier this year, the charity warned of the dangers of all types of cancer and recommended avoiding obesity, limiting sugary drinks and alcohol and avoiding bacon, ham, and other processed meats.

People should avoid gaining weight over the age of 21 and exercise every day, and mothers should breastfeed, the study said.