Two young women – with personal tales of bowel cancer – are fronting a new film aimed at raising awareness of the disease. 

The film has been produced on behalf of The Bowel Movement, a charity set up in memory of Benjamin Millard, from Frome in Somerset, who died from bowel cancer at the age of 33.   

Emily Harrison, a teacher from Bristol, was repeatedly told she was "too young for bowel cancer" when she was displaying symptoms which included chronic pain and bleeding from her bowel. But six months later she was diagnosed with higher stage 3 cancer. 

Today Emily, who is now 40, said: "I remember that day so well. When I was having my scan the room just fell silent – but I could see on the screen it was a massive tumour. I kept asking: 'Am I going to die….am I going to die'. And they just said: 'We don't know.' It was such a scary time." 

Yet, after surgery and gruelling chemotherapy, the mother of two embarked on a remarkable challenge – to climb Kilimanjaro. "I just wanted to show cancer hadn't beaten me. I just wanted my children to be proud." 

Abby Morris, whose family home is in Frome, lost her brother to bowel cancer just before his 34th birthday. He was a fit man who went to the gym twice a day. By the time his bowel cancer was diagnosed he was told it was stage 4 and the prognosis wasn't good.   

It was her brother's story that encouraged Abby to set up The Bowel Movement. 

"On the face of it he was such a fit man," said Abby. "When we heard the news it was devastating. It was so hard to believe." 

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Abby (35), who is a lecturer at Lancaster University, said: "It's vital we challenge this misconception that young people don't get bowel cancer Early diagnosis is so important – and GPs have a big role to play in that." 

Both Abby and Emily have now told their stories in a film that has been produced to warn others of the dangers and encourage people to come forward if they are displaying symptoms. 

The film has been produced by former BBC Correspondent Clinton Rogers who says he just wants to people to be aware – and not be embarrassed to come forward if they have symptoms. 

Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK. Yet consultant colorectal surgeon Paul Mackey, from Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, says it is people's reticence to come forward that can lead to serious problems. 

Mr Mackey, who also features in the film, said: "People are reluctant to talk about their bowel symptoms and their toileting habits – and that is a big issue.  

"But if you've got on-going bleeding, if you've got an on-going change in your bowel habits, you must come forward and be investigated. The rule is: Don't sit on your symptoms." 

Don't Sit On Your Symptoms has become the title for the film, which can be viewed on the website of The Bowel Movement (www.thebowelmovement.uk)