Why is bowel cancer on the rise in younger people?
Bowel cancer, and cancer in general, is often thought of a disease of older people. However, bowel cancer is increasingly common, is the second most common cause of cancer death, and is rising particularly fast in young people under the age of 50 years old. It is more important than ever to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer, and be mindful of these symptoms at any age.
Studies from all over the world have shown that bowel cancer is increasing in incidence, in particular in young people. Bowel cancer is now the second most common cause of cancer in men under 45 years old, and is also increasing in young women. This increase in bowel cancer rates is most striking in younger people, with rates of bowel cancer increasing by about 50% over the past 3 decades in those under 50.
We have seen major advances in the detection and treatment of bowel cancer in recent decades. Because of these advances, around 90% of people diagnosed with bowel cancer at its earliest stages (stages 1 or 2) will survive cancer-free at 5 years, as early surgery (sometimes with other treatments like chemotherapy as well) are highly effective. However, only 40% of bowel cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stages, and sadly survival rates for cancers at more advanced stages is much lower. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial to ensure the best outcomes.
The most common symptoms of bowel cancer include:
A change in your bowel movements or bowel habit
Changes in stool (poo) colour
Blood in the stool (poo) or bleeding from the anus (back passage)
Fatigue, low energy, or anaemia
Weight loss
Unexplained abdominal pain
If you notice any of the symptoms above, please speak to your GP or a specialist. Early diagnosis of bowel cancer can make a huge difference to the chances of successful treatment, and finding and removing pre-cancerous polyps can reduce the risk of cancer in the longer term.
The most common initial test for bowel cancer is a stool (poo) test called FIT, which checks for microscopic levels of blood in the stool, or a colonoscopy, which directly examines the lining of the large intestine. Colonoscopy is a very good test for diagnosing bowel cancer, but importantly it can also detect pre-cancerous polyps, which can then be removed at the time, reducing the risk of cancer down the line.
But why is bowel cancer on the rise, particularly in young people? There's evidence that a variety of lifestyle and dietary factors are driving the increased rates of bowel cancer. Risk factors for bowel cancer include:
A low-fibre content in the diet
Excess red meat and processed meat
Possibly other highly processed foods
Being overweight or obese
Excess alcohol use
Lower levels of physical activity
Unfortunately these risk factors have become more common in recent decades, which drive the risk of bowel cancer (and other forms of cancer and chronic illness). There are genetic factors that can increase the risk of bowel cancer too, so if close relatives have had bowel cancer, other cancers in the stomach or gut, or cancers of the womb (uterus) or ovaries, this may affect the risk.
So what can you do to reduce the risk of bowel cancer? Maintaining a healthy, fibre-rich diet, avoiding excessive processed foods, and red meat is a great place to start. 90% of the UK population don't eat enough fibre in their diet, and many of us eat too much red meat and processed foods. Maintaining a healthy body weight and increasing physical exercise is important also.
Finally, be aware and mindful about any new symptoms, in particular a change in your bowel habit, or any blood in the stool or from the back passage, and seek medical help without delay. Early investigations for such symptoms means we can detect cancers early, which will give the best chance for treatment success, or even diagnose problems like polyps before a cancer has formed.
If you have new or concerning symptoms and would like a specialist consultation and investigations, please get in touch and we can arrange an appointment as soon as possible.
