sCANCER experts at The Christie Hospital, which serves Bolton patients, are calling for major changes to the way patients are treated.

A new study of bowel cancer patients has found that a "significant" number live longer if they are rigorously checked after the cancerous tumour is removed.

The study found that additional scans and blood tests after surgery helped earlier detection of cancerous cells coming back or having spread into other areas.

A total of 1,342 patients took part in the extensive study.

Nine to 13 per cent more patients than would be expected were still alive after five years.

Andrew Reneham, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Surgery at the Christie, led the research said:

"This was a large study and the results are significant."

Current UK guidelines for the management of patients with bowel cancer state that there is "no evidence" of survival benefit with intensive follow up or that it is "not worth while". This study is the strongest evidence to date to indicate that this is not the case.

"Hospitals across the country differ in how they follow-up patients. We are only too aware that the costs of additional care are considerable and need to be justified with evidence.

"This study however proves that by adopting a much more rigorous check-up after patients receive surgery more patients can live longer."

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the second most common form of cancer.