Cork has the highest rate of bowel cancer in Ireland, according to the Irish Cancer Society.

The Society says Cork has an incidence of 57.9 per 100,000 a year for bowel cancer, with Leitrim and Louth having the second and third highest rates.

It says the high levels of this type of cancer in certain parts of the country could be due to lifestyle or genetic factors.

The Cancer Society says people in these counties who may be at higher risk should look at reviewing their lifestyle to see if they can make healthier choices to reduce their risk.

Adults who take more exercise and have a healthy diet can reduce their risk of developing bowel cancer by 30 to 40 per cent, it says.

Find out more about bowel cancer here

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month