People can reduce their risk of bowel cancer by eating more whole grains, a new report has shown.

According to the report from the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research, scientists have shown for the first time that eating three servings of whole grains each day reduces the risk of bowel cancer by 17%.

Bowel (colorectal) cancer is newly diagnosed in around 2,500 people in Ireland every year. Around 1,000 people die annually of the disease, making it the second most common cause of cancer death in this country.

Whole grains can be found in foods such as brown rice, whole grain bread, whole wheat pasta and oatmeal.

The report looked at all of the research that has been carried out worldwide into how diet, weight and physical activity affects the risk of bowel cancer. It confirmed that eating lots of processed meat, such as salami and bacon, can increase the risk of the disease.

It also confirmed that eating too much red meat (more than 500g per week), being overweight or obese, not getting enough exercise and drinking two or more alcoholic drinks per day, can increase the risk.

"Bowel cancer is common, but almost half of cases could be prevented by people taking positive steps to help reduce their risk, such as eating more whole grains and less processed or red meat. Maintaining a healthy weight is also important for preventing bowel cancer, as well as for reducing the risk of many other chronic diseases, including 10 other common cancers," commented Susannah Brown, a senior scientist with the World Cancer Research Fund.

Meanwhile, according to the report's lead author, Prof Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in the US, while bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers, ‘this report demonstrates that there is a lot people can do to dramatically lower their risk'.

"The findings are robust and clear. Diet and lifestyle have a major role in colorectal cancer and many of the ways to help prevent it are important for overall health.

"Factors such as maintaining a lean body weight, proper exercise, limiting red and processed meat and eating more whole grains and fibre would lower risk substantially. Moreover, limiting alcohol to at most two drinks per day and avoidance or cessation of smoking also lower risk," he said.