Why are bowel cancer rates rising in younger adults and what can we all do to reduce our risk?
You’re tired all the time and going to the toilet more. You’ve been putting it down to stress, but should you be worried?
We know that age-specific incidence rates of bowel cancer rise steeply from the age of 50. But over the last 20 years, the number of adults aged 25 to 49 being diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK has increased by around 50 per cent.
Bowel Cancer UK’s chief executive Genevieve Edwards says: ‘This increase in people under 50 being diagnosed with bowel cancer is alarming and a trend we’re noticing across many parts of the world. Yet while we can see rates increasing, we don’t understand specifically what’s behind it. This is why current research, such as Cancer Research UK and the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Grand Challenges, which some of our work has also been helping to shape, is so crucial.’
To determine why the incidence of early-onset cancers in adults, including bowel cancer, is rising, the team are looking at exposure to known risk factors, such as obesity and social factors, as well as exploring the role the gut microbiome may play.
One avenue of research will be exploring if what we eat when we’re young may be impacting our digestive system and acting as a risk factor.
Genevieve says: ‘Alongside the impact of ultra-processed food, separate research is also looking into the possible role that microplastics might be playing in the development of bowel cancer.’
Other areas of research being explored include whether younger people are spending more time being sedentary and if they’re getting as much sleep as previously.
Genevieve says: ‘Hopefully, this research will help us to work towards preventing bowel cancer in people under 50. However, it’s important to remember bowel cancer is still much more common in people over the age of 50, so it’s crucial that everyone knows what to look out for, how to get help and what they can do to reduce their risk.’
Here, Genevieve explains…
Reduce your risk
‘While there are some risk factors that you can’t do anything about, such as age or genetic conditions, scientists believe that almost half of all bowel cancers could be prevented if we had healthier lifestyles. There is some evidence, for example, that limiting the amount of red meat and processed foods we consume can help reduce our risk.
‘Eating plenty of fibre from wholegrains, pulses, fruits and vegetables, opting for a low-fat diet, remaining a healthy weight, stopping smoking and drinking less alcohol can also help reduce your risk.
‘People who are more physically active also have a much lower risk of bowel cancer.’
Spot the signs
‘If you spot any blood in your poo or notice any bleeding from your bottom, speak to your GP straightaway. Be mindful of any changes in your bowel habits also.
‘If you find changes in your habits that aren’t normal for you, like going more or less often, or having unexplained diarrhoea or constipation, you should seek help. Other important things to look out for are if you’re losing weight and don’t know why, feel tired constantly for no obvious reason, or you have pain or a lump in your tummy.’
Speak up
‘Most likely, your symptoms won’t be caused by bowel cancer, but it’s important to speak up because if bowel cancer is diagnosed in its earliest stages, it’s very treatable and almost everyone will survive.
‘What’s new is that now anybody, of any age, with symptoms can go and ask their GP about a simple test to do at home.’
Take part in screening
‘The bowel cancer screening test is now sent every two years to everyone in the UK between the ages of 50 and 74, depending on where you live.
‘The screening programme can detect tiny amounts of blood in your poo and can even detect blood from precancerous polyps, which can be removed to prevent cancer from potentially developing. So, with the test, bowel cancer is preventable as well as treatable and curable if it's found early on.’
• For more information, please visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk