Dame Deborah James tragically lost her five year bowel cancer battle last night, her family confirmed in a statement.
The 40-year-old BBC podcaster campaigned to raise awareness about the condition since her diagnosis in December 2016.
Her family expressed how proud they were of Deborah for campaigning to ‘break down barriers’ and ‘challenge taboos’ over the illness.
Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and is the second biggest killer.
READ MORE: The bowel cancer symptoms Deborah James wanted everyone to look out for
READ MORE: Dame Deborah James dies at 40 after 5-year bowel cancer battle
Around 43,000 people in the UK are estimated to be diagnosed with the condition every year.
Cancer Research UK has listed a number of seven factors that potentially increase the risks of getting bowel cancer.
Diet
The link between one person’s diet and cancer is ‘difficult’ and is currently being studied to see which foods put people at greater risk, according to Cancer Research UK.
However, there are some foods that cancer that can definitely affect the cancer risks.
Eating too much red and processed meat can increase the risk of bowel cancer - with 13 out of 100 bowel cancer cases in the UK linked to eating these meats.
Not eating enough fibre is also said to increase the risk of cancer - with 30 in 100 bowel cancer cases linked to not consuming enough.
Obesity
Cancer Research UK has estimated that around 11 out of 100 bowel cancer cases in the UK are linked to being overweight or obese.
Exercise
Maintaining a good amount of exercise alongside a healthy and balanced diet is considered to be crucial in preventing bowel cancer.
People who are more physically active are said to have a lower risk of coming down with the illness.
Smoking tobacco
Seven out of 100 bowel cancer cases are linked to smoking - and the risk level increases if you smoke a significant number of cigarettes.
Alcohol
Six out of 100 bowel cancer cases in the UK are believed to be linked to alcohol consumption, Cancer Research UK has said.
Age
Bowel cancer is more common in older people - with more than 40 out of 100 cases diagnosed in people who are aged 75 or over.
Family history
Cancer Research UK says that the risk of bowel cancer is increased if one of your first degree relatives - such as a parent, brother, sister, son or daughter - has been diagnosed with the condition.
This risk is increased further is more than one relative has been diagnosed.
The organisation recommends that you speak to a GP if you have a family history of bowel cancer and they may refer you to a genetics clinic if it is appropriate.
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