A growing body of evidence suggests that the number of under-50s being diagnosed with bowel cancer is increasing worldwide, with rates rising faster in England than almost any other country. According to a recent study published in the Lancet Oncology, 27 out of 50 countries reported an increase in early-onset bowel cancer rates between 2017 and 2022. The rate was highest in New Zealand (4%), Chile (4%), Puerto Rico (3.8%), and England (3.6%).
Experts attribute the rise to factors such as junk food consumption, high levels of physical inactivity, and the obesity epidemic. The study found that bowel cancer rates in people aged 25-49 rose in 27 countries, with young women showing faster increases than men in some regions.
Bowel cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer and the second most common cause of cancer death worldwide, responsible for over 1.9 million new cases and nearly 900,000 deaths in 2022. The global trend highlights the need for innovative prevention strategies tailored to younger generations and local resources.
While the study’s findings are concerning, experts caution that comparing international data on cancer rates is challenging due to variations in data quality and availability. Further research is needed to understand the reasons behind the rise and develop effective prevention strategies.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/dec/11/bowel-cancer-rising-under-50s-worldwide-research