Funded by Cancer Research UK and published in Nature , the research found a key step in some aggressive forms of bowel cancer, involved the cancer cells losing their identity and resembling cells from other parts of the body.

This “shapeshifting” ability of cancer cells to change form, known as cellular plasticity, was found by the team to be an important element in bowel cancer metastasis - when it spreads to other parts of the body and becomes harder to treat.

It is hoped identifying this crucial process and preventing it from occurring could help make current treatments for aggressive bowel cancer more effective and prevent the disease from spreading.

NHS Scotland saved my life - here's why everyone needs to do the bowel test

Rates of cancer on increase for women under 50 in S

See Full Page