New findings published in the British Medical Journal support the theory that a diet high in fibre from cereals and whole grains - such as whole grain breads, brown rice, cereals, oatmeal and porridge help reduce the risk of bowel cancer.

A diet high in fibre from vegetables and fruits, they also concluded, does not offer the same benefit.

According to a report published in the British Medical Journal, every additional 10 grams of fibre consumed per day reduces the risk by 10%, while consuming 90 grams/day of whole grains was linked with a 20% reduction in risk.

The researchers - from Imperial College, London and the University of Leeds - analysed the data from 25 previous studies that had involved some two million participants in order to reach their conclusions.

The research also concluded that increased intake of fibre and whole grains is also likely to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type-II diabetes, overweight and obesity, and possibly overall mortality.

The likelihood of contracting colorectal cancer is put at 1 in 14-18 for men, and one in 19-20 for women. Over 600,000 people worldwide die of the disease each year.

Its incidence is significantly higher in Australia, Europe and North America than in South America, Africa or Asia.