A TEAM of specialists from Macmillan Cancer Support will be stopping off in Dudley to offer free, confidential support to anyone with a concern or a question relating to the disease.

The Macmillan bus will park up in Stone Street Square on Tuesday (April 15) between 10am and 4pm giving people the chance to hop on and get advice, with no appointment necessary.

As April is bowel cancer month, the team will tell people what signs and symptoms to look out for as if caught early, 90 percent of patients are successfully treated.

The most common symptoms include blood in stools or rectal bleeding, a persistent change to normal bowel habits, abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss.

Helen Kennedy, lead Macmillan information and support specialist on the unit, said: “It’s important to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer, and although the cause is unknown, there are certain factors that may increase your risk, which it helps to be aware of as well. It is more common in those over the age of 50 and those with a close family member who has been diagnosed with the disease.

"Poor diet, lack of exercise, high alcohol intake and smoking also all increase risk but of course cancer can affect anyone so if you have concerns you should visit your doctor as early as possible."