Bowel Cancer in Younger Adults

Bowel cancer has traditionally been seen as a disease that mostly affects older people and while it is a fact that around 90% of all cancers occur in those over the age of 50, recent years have shown a worrying trend in the number of younger adults being diagnosed.

What might be causing the rise?

Researchers have not yet identified a single clear reason for the rise in younger cases, a small number of genetic conditions can lead to bowel cancer at a younger age but these account for only about 5% of cases, so genetics alone cannot explain the trend.

Lifestyle and environmental factors are thought to play a bigger role, including:

• Sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise
• Being overweight
• Smoking and heavy alcohol use
• Diets low in fibre and high in fat
• Eating large amounts of processed meats

These risk factors have become more common over the past 60 years, and for older adults long‑term exposure increases the chance of cell changes that can turn cancerous. For younger people, early exposure may speed up these changes, making cancer more likely to appear sooner.

Some symptoms to look out for

• Changes in bowel movements
• Feeling unusually tired or lacking energy
• Noticeable changes in stool colour
• Bleeding from the back passage

If you experience any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor promptly, making sure to mention any family history of bowel cancer or genetic conditions as it may help to assess your personal risk.

Reducing your risk

Eating a balanced diet rich in fibre, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and avoiding smoking and excess alcohol are all positive steps. Screening is currently offered to people between 50 and 74 years of age, but younger individuals with symptoms or family history should still seek medical advice.