Bowel cancer increasing in young people

Bowel cancer, already Australia’s second leading cause of cancer death, is following international trends and becoming more common in younger people, especially those under 35 years.

Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s (AIHW) Australian Cancer Database shows both the incidence of bowel cancer, and deaths from the disease, are increasing more rapidly in younger people than other age groups.

Colorectal surgeon, Associate Professor Graham Newstead AM, Bowel Cancer Australia said there was a 64 per cent increase in the incidence of bowel cancer in people aged 20-34 years between the five-year period 1992-1996 and 2002-2006.

“This is more than five times the increase seen overall across all age groups (12.3 per cent),” he added.

Looking at genders, females of all ages had a 10 per cent increase in the incidence of bowel cancer from 1992-1996 to 2002-2006 while those aged 20-34 years experienced a 50 per cent increase. Males of all ages saw a 14.1 per cent increase while those aged 20-34 years had an 82 per cent increase.

“Deaths from bowel cancer in young men (20-34 yrs) increased by 22 per cent. In contrast, the mortality rate decreased by almost six per cent for males and females of all ages reflecting more recent treatment advances during that period,” Professor Newstead said.

“This data shows there has been an increase in both incidence and death from bowel cancer among young men when we compare the two data periods (1992-1996 to 2002-2006). Young men now have a similar incidence and mortality from bowel cancer to young women,” he added.

“The data suggests that young men are being diagnosed later, when the cancer is more advanced,” he added. “Younger people are also at higher risk of a more aggressive form of the disease and some have a genetic background which predisposes them to a higher risk.”

“Increased dietary fat and energy intake in the younger generation may also be related to their increasing rates of bowel cancer. Indeed, overall changes in the way in which our food is produced may also be a factor although the science is yet to be ascertained,” said Professor Newstead.

“Unfortunately, even when there are bowel cancer symptoms in young people, there is a low level of suspicion for bowel cancer before other diagnoses,” said Professor Newstead. “You should never be told you are too young to have bowel cancer.”

Symptoms, such as blood in your bowel motion, recent and persistent changes in bowel habit or unexplained weight loss require seeing your GP immediately. Everyone should know their family history to minimise potential risks.

Bowel Cancer Australia chief executive officer Julien Wiggins said Bowel Cancer Awareness Week (5-11 June) was an opportune time to highlight the fact that the disease can affect anyone at any stage of their life.

More than 14,000 Australians, young and old, are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year. If caught in time however, 90 per cent of cases can be treated successfully.

“Australians aged 50 and over are still the age group that need to be most vigilant as incidence and death from bowel cancer is still much higher in the over 50s than under 50s,” said Mr Wiggins. “This is why screening at least every two years is recommended for people aged 50 and over.”

“However, we are seeing a global trend that points to an increasing proportion of young men and women being diagnosed with bowel cancer,” he added.

In the UK, the incidence of bowel cancer in the under 30s rose by 117 per cent between 1997 and 2006 compared to a seven per cent increase across all ages for the same period.

In the US, bowel cancer rates have also increased in 20-40 year olds over the last three decades but otherwise decreased across all ages. The overall decrease has been attributed to preventive bowel screening which targets people over 50 years.

The same US data also showed that young people were presenting with more advanced disease.

Professor Newstead said that while the absolute numbers of young people with bowel cancer are small, we still need to pay attention to this group.

“If we can understand the possible reasons for the increase in young people, we may have an opportunity to reverse this trend,” he added.

According to the latest ‘Bowel Cancer Atlas of Australia’, 20,690 people died from bowel cancer in the five years from 2003-2007. The average annual death rate was 20.3 per 100,000 population, with rates slightly higher in country areas than capital cities.

(Source: Bowel Cancer Australia)