Bowel Cancer UK has complained about "patchy" care in the UK following the announcement by Oxo mum Lynda Bellingham that she was dying of the cancer.
The actress, best known for her role in the 1980s Oxo TV adverts, plans to end life-extending chemotherapy treatment, allowing her to die.
The 66-year-old star, who has colon cancer that has spread to her lungs and liver, said she wanted to spend one more Christmas with her family before she passes away.
Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK said: "At Bowel Cancer UK, we were all saddened to hear of the news of Lynda Bellingham's diagnosis of advanced bowel cancer.
"But unfortunately it's all too common. Bowel cancer is the UK's second biggest cancer killer and that's why we launched our Time for Guts campaign to improve survival rates and support for people with advanced bowel cancer, in an urgent bid to save more lives.
"Access to best treatment and care is critical and currently in the UK that can be patchy. Some people are dying early because of late diagnosis and variations in treatment and care. This must be addressed urgently.
"Every year 41,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer which equates to a diagnosis every 15 minutes and around 16,000 people die of the disease.
"A diagnosis of incurable cancer obviously has a huge impact on the patient but also their family and friends, which is often underestimated."
For more information visit www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk
