Released: 03 October 2005

From today, Monday 3rd October 2005, a leading bowel cancer charity will be renamed as Bowel Cancer UK, as it embarks on a new era for the organisation and the disease.

The charity, which recently opened an office in Scotland because of the high incidence of bowel cancer north of the border, is marking the occasion at Edinburgh Castle at midday on the 3rd October where staff and key supporters will gather together to launch the charity.

The charity opened its doors in Scotland in April 2005 as the first dedicated bowel cancer charity north of the border. Scotland has the highest rate of incidences and deaths from the disease per head of the population in Europe and one of the highest in the world.

Formerly known as Colon Cancer Concern (CCC), Bowel Cancer UK has decided to change its identity for two main reasons: firstly, to convey the national nature of its work and secondly, to reflect the increasingly widespread use of the term bowel cancer to describe the disease.

Chief Executive, Neil Brookes, explains: "Bowel cancer affects some 3,500 people in Scotland every year, where it is the second biggest cancer killer. Our name change symbolises our commitment to combat this terrible disease at a national, regional and local level.

"In addition, we have sought to bring the name of our organisation into line with the most common description of the disease at a time when awareness of it is increasing considerably."

Established in 1987, Bowel Cancer UK is a leading charity dedicated to raising awareness of the disease, improving the quality of life of those affected by it and ultimately, reducing deaths from what is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK.

And while the name change signifies the beginning of a new era, the charity is keen to emphasise that its focus and core areas of activity will not change.

Neil Brookes continues: "With increased awareness of bowel cancer and the roll-out of a screening programme in Scotland from 2007, our role has never been more important.

"Consequently, we will continue to concentrate our work around our four pillars of activity: awareness raising campaigns; providing information on the disease; educating healthcare professionals; and campaigning on all aspects of the disease.

"Over and above all this, we continue to be a patient focused organisation, working for bowel cancer patients, their carers and families. Our name might have changed but our core values haven't."

The charity's trailer - branded with the slogan 'Don't blush…look before you flush' and featuring a giant photograph of a man and a woman sitting on the toilet - will be parked outside St Paul's Cathedral to mark the launch in London.

Bowel Cancer UK will continue to run the only bowel cancer helpline in the country - to be known as the Bowel Cancer Advisory Service.

Every year, around 35,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer and around 16,000 will die. It is the third most common cancer after lung and breast cancer, and the second most common cause of cancer death after lung cancer.