Dame Deborah James's parents have shared a touching tribute to the late cancer campaigner, four years after her death.The former deputy head teacher died at the age of 40 on June 28, 2022 after launching and leading a phenomenal campaign to raise money for bowel cancer treatment.Her social-media famous 'Bowelbabe' fund - which surpassed £1 million in less than 24 hours and has since raised a staggering £21 million - was commended by the royals, and health organisations.The campaigner also hosted the podcast You, Me and the Big C and shared her health journey online under the name Bowelbabe.After being diagnosed with bowel cancer when she was 35 years old in 2016, Deborah became an online sensation, thanks to her social media content which showed her dancing her way through chemotherapy and living with 'rebellious hope'.'Today is the 4th anniversary of Deborah’s death and there are still many moments when it is so difficult to believe she is no longer with us,' her mother Heather and father Alistair shared in an Instagram post on Saturday. Dame Deborah James's parents have shared a touching tribute to the late cancer campaigner, four years after her death The former deputy head teacher died at the age of 40 on June 28, 2022 after launching and leading a phenomenal campaign to raise money for bowel cancer treatment. Pictured with her mother Heather What are the symptoms of bowel cancer? According to Bowel Cancer UK figures, more than 41,200 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK. Such tumours usually develop from pre-cancerous growths, called polyps.Symptoms include:Bleeding from the bottomBlood in stoolsA change in bowel habits lasting at least three weeksUnexplained weight lossExtreme, unexplained tirednessAbdominal painMost cases have no clear cause, and can be at any age, however, people are more at risk if they: Are over 50Have a family history of the conditionHave a personal history of polyps in their bowelSuffer from inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's diseaseLead an unhealthy lifestyle Treatment usually involves surgery, and chemo- and radiotherapy.More than nine out of 10 people with stage one bowel cancer survive five years or more after their diagnosis.This drops significantly if it is diagnosed in later stages. 'Her immense enthusiasm and enjoyment of life will never be forgotten but there are still so many times when I look up expecting that beautiful smile to appear round the corner full of her latest challenge and adventures for the family.'In the emotional statement, her parents said that if Deborah was here today she 'would have been so proud and honoured by what has been achieved in her name and the impact she continues to make'.They added: 'You are loved, cherished and remembered by so many for the effect you had on so many lives and the legacy you leave behind. 'The amazing support for the Bowelbabe Fund which she launched in her final weeks is incredible and in the last few months we have been able to celebrate £20m being raised - what a testament to our inspirational and beautiful daughter.'We will always love and miss you and you will never be forgotten.'Love Mum & Dad xx.'Heather and Alistair also shared a photo of their smiling daughter, beaming at the camera. Dame Deborah's death was announced on Instagram in 2022, in a post that revealed that she was surrounded by her family after months of end of life care at her parents' house in Surrey.In a poignant message to her followers, it said that Dame Deborah's final message to them was: 'Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life'.It was was accompanied by the always glamourous teacher turned broadcaster dancing on a balcony on holiday as the sun set behind her, as friends described her as a 'warrior' who 'taught us how to live and taught us how to die'.Tributes came in from all over the world including messages from the Prince and Princess of Wales.In an X post signed 'W&C', the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said: 'We are so sad to hear the heartbreaking news about Dame Deborah. Our thoughts are with her children, her family and her loved ones. Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on'. Elsewhere, Boris Johnson said: 'What an inspiration she was to so many. The awareness she brought to bowel cancer and the research her campaigning has funded will be her enduring legacy. Because of her, many many lives will be saved.’And cancer survivors thanked her for saving them. Teresa Whitfield was watching breakfast TV when she heard Dame Deborah describing her symptoms, which inspired Teresa to go to her GP immediately.She said at the time: 'Without her campaigning I wouldn't have kept going back to me GP. She triggered something in me. And I'm now cancer free. She did save my life. I can only say thank you. Without her I don't think I would be here today'.Many shared her final podcast from the month prior to her death, where she signed off in tears, saying: 'I suppose that's it from me. I'm pleased that I have got to the point where I can say it and we'll see each other again, somewhere, dancing.'And until then, please please enjoy life because it is so precious. All I want now is more time and more life. And check your poo. Come on. I can't leave on any other words'.