A new 90 second test can accurately rule out bowel disease in 80 per cent of people who are worried that they are showing symptoms of the deadly disease. 

Experts say that the non-invasive test could reduce pressure on the NHS by cutting waiting times for a colonoscopy and speeding up diagnosis.

It has been developed by scientists at the Cambridge-based company Origin Sciences, in collaboration with NHS hospitals.

The test involves using a unique a sampling device developed by Oricol - that any trained medical professional can use - to collect a small sample of rectal mucus. 

Until now the main test for the illness has been a colonoscopy - which involves a thin, flexible tube with a camera being inserted into the rectum to see inside the bowel. 

Before a colonoscopy, patients need to clear out the bowel to ensure clear visibility, which is typically achieved by drinking a laxative solution.

However, the new device allows medical professionals to take the sample without the need to endure the discomfort of laxatives, bowel cleansing or sedation.

The new gadget was tested in a study involving more than 800 patients across four NHS sites, of which the findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. 

Mucus lining in the bowel naturally collects material shed from the colon, including human cells, microbes and tumour-related fragments.

Scientists found that these materials travel down the bowel and can be captured using the device during a brief outpatient appointment. 

They found that a mucus sample can contain cancer-linked genetic mutations, strong epigenetic signals, and particularly genes associated with colorectal cancers. 

Origin Sciences research showed that the analysis of a simple sample can reveal clear biological signals, including ones which indicate if there is high chance of colorectal cancers. 

This analysis could clearly separate patients with colorectal cancer from those with advanced polyps - which if untreated can develop into cancer - and those with no evidence of significant disease. 

Jon Lacy-Colson, chief investigator of the TRIOMIC trial, conducted at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust said: 'The findings of this study could fundamentally change how we approach bowel disease screening. 

'The Oricol test could mean that 80 per cent of all patients who are currently referred for a colonoscopy could be given the all clear without ever having to endure an invasive, uncomfortable and time-consuming colonoscopy.'

Hugo Lywood, CEO of Origin Sciences, added: 'We are pleased the study published today in Nature Communications has confirmed the Oricol Test’s potential to transform bowel cancer diagnostics for the NHS.

'While this test does not replace colonoscopy, because Oricol reliably detects polyps and advanced adenomas—the precursors to cancer—it has the potential to shift bowel cancer screening from late detection to true prevention.

'We are grateful to our NHS partners, clinical teams, and the thousands of patients who have made this innovation possible.'

Meanwhile, Origin chief scientific officer Daniel Wise said: ’This is a significant step forward in the screening and diagnostics process. We have demonstrated the clinical significance of taking a holistic approach to cancer detection. 

'Utilizing a combination of genetic, epigenetic and microorganism biomarkers from the rectal mucus, a hologenomic profile is created and applied to colorectal cancer diagnosis.’

It comes amid a worrying surge of the devastating illness being diagnosed in people aged under 50 in the past decade.

Around 42,000 Britons are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year, with 17,400 dying of the disease. 

It took the life of Dame Deborah James at the age of 40, who was nicknamed the 'bowel babe' for raising awareness of the cancer. 

Early warning signs include blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, weight loss and fatigue, as well as a pain, lump or bowel obstruction. 

But Dr Jack Ogden a GP at The Lagom Clinic in Bristol previously told the Daily Mail other symptoms are often overlooked.

This included iron deficiency anaemia, which he said can present as 'unexplained fatigue, pale skin or shortness of breath'.

Anaemia is a condition when the body doesn't have enough red blood cells to pump oxygen around the body.

It can also cause symptoms like chest pain, heart palpitations, headaches and dizziness.

This is because tumours can bleed, causing iron loss and inflammation that produces a protein which interferes with iron absorption.

He added suddenly noticing narrower stools with no clear cause, is another subtle sign of bowel cancer.

Pencil-thin stools can be an indicator that a tumour is obstructing the colon causing it to squeeze stool into a thinner shape, Dr Ogden added.

Bloating and abdominal discomfort, equally, is also 'subtle' sign of the cancer, he warned.

This may present itself as 'persistent cramping' or feeling full quickly after eating, Dr Ogden said.