A charity is publicising the dangers of bowel cancer this month.

Bowel Cancer Isle of Man has produced a postcard-sized guide to symptoms, which is being delivered to every household in the island during April.

Supplies of the card are also being distributed around pharmacies and larger workplaces.

It features Jamie Carr, a man from Douglas who was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in May 2016. He died in December 2016 at the age of 35.

Unfortunately, when Jamie’s cancer was diagnosed it had already spread to other parts of his body.

Jamie’s family and friends are working closely with Bowel Cancer Isle of Man and the Carrefour Health Club in Douglas to raise awareness of bowel cancer and remember Jamie.

There will be a charity fitness day at Carrefour on Saturday, April 21, with classes on offer available at £5 per class.

They include zumba, step aerobics, tae bo, kettlebells, yoga and spin.

Bookings can be made on Carrefour Health Club’s Facebook Page or call 615595 to reserve a space. Carrefour is also organising a raffle with personal training prizes on offer.

Bowel Cancer Isle of Man will be holding a flag day collection with volunteers handing out information in Douglas town centre on Saturday, April 21, from 10am till 3pm.

On Sunday, May 13, the annual ’Walk to Remember’ organised by Bowel Cancer Isle of Man will take place around Peel’s harbour front and promenade.

The event will start at 2pm from Peel Sailing Club on the promenade. The charity says anyone can join in.

Heather Norman, chair of Bowel Cancer Isle of Man, said: ’The walk is an opportunity for families to remember relatives and friends they have lost, and also help us to raise awareness of bowel cancer itself.’

Nick Saunders is taking part in this year’s Parish Walk on June 23 in memory of his father and his grandfather, who had both suffered from bowel cancer.

Nick said his father had always been keen to ensure that funds raised for local charities should be kept and invested in the island for the benefit of the island’s people, which is what Bowel Cancer Isle of Man does.

Every year 2,500 younger people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK and this number is slowly increasing as more young people are eating more processed food.

Research suggests the age to begin screening people needs to be lowered

In the island screening is offered from age 60. In Scotland it begins at age 50.

More information on bowel cancer, the local patient support group, Nick’s fundraising, and details about the sponsored walk can be found on Bowel Cancer IOM’s new websit www.bowelcanceriom.org