Bowel Cancer Rates Increase Among Young People

Bowel Cancer Rates Increase Among Young People

Auckland doctor Jared Noel was diagnosed with bowel cancer when he was just 27 years old

June 6 -12 is New Zealand’s first Bowel Cancer Awareness Week. Bowel cancer kills more New Zealanders annually than breast and prostate cancers combined.The risk of developing bowel cancer increases with age. However, consistent with findings in the UK, Australian doctors are now reporting the incidence of bowel cancer in the young is increasing.

Data released from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows disease incidence is increasing more for people aged 20 to 34 than for any other age group.

Findings revealed that in the interval between 1992-96 and 2002-06, there was a 64 per cent increase in the numbers of young people aged between 20 and 34 diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Colorectal surgeon, Associate Professor Graham Newstead, said that increase was more than five times the 12.3 per cent increase across all age groups.

"Increased dietary fat and energy intake in the younger generation may also be related to their increasing rates of bowel cancer," he said.

"Changes in the way our food is produced may also be a factor, though the science is yet to be ascertained."

In 2009, it was reported in the UK that rates of bowel cancer in the under 30s had increased by 120% in the last ten years.

“Beat Bowel Cancer Aotearoa wants New Zealanders to know that bowel cancer is detectable, treatable and beatable ” says Acting Chair Alison Ellison. “These latest statistics illustrate just how important it is to raise awareness in our community and to make sure that all New Zealanders, young and old, don’t sit on their symptoms but get checked by their health professional. Each year more than 1250 people die in this

country from bowel cancer. An estimated 75% of those people may have survived if the disease had been detected early.”

WARNING SIGNS OF BOWEL CANCER

Bowel Bowel

habits can often change, but if you have any of the following symptoms, Beat Cancer Aotearoa advises seeing your health professional.

Rectal bleeding without obvious reason.

A persistent change in bowel habit, especially going to the toilet more often or

having looser stools for several weeks.

Abdominal pain

A lump in your tummy

Weight loss and tiredness.

Donations and information at: http://www.beatbowelcancer.org.nz

ENDS

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