Experts have highlighted two key signs of a potentially deadly disease to spot on the toilet as concerning new data shows a “sharp” rise in cases among young people in England. A study, led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), revealed that diagnoses of early-onset bowel cancer have skyrocketed in 27 countries across the globe.
In 14 countries, including England and the US, cases of the cancer rose quickest in people aged between 25 and 49. However, rates of the disease, which is also known as colorectal cancer, actually decreased among people aged 50 and over in England.
Lead study author Dr Hyuna Sung, senior principal scientist at the ACS, said: “The increase in early-onset colorectal cancer is a global phenomenon.
“Previous studies have shown this rise in predominantly high-income Western countries, but now, it is documented in various economies and regions worldwide.”
As part of the research, data from between 1943 and 2017 was gathered and examined for age-standardised incidence rates of bowel cancer. Average annual percentage changes (AAPC) were also estimated for the last 10 years of data.
This revealed that during the past decade, incidence rates of early-onset bowel cancer (25-49 years) were stable in 23 countries, but increased in 27 countries, with the greatest annual increases in New Zealand (four percent), Chile (four percent) and Puerto Rico (3.8 percent). Fourteen of the 27 countries showed either stable (Puerto Rico, Argentina, Norway, France, Ireland) or decreasing rates (Israel, Canada, the USA, England, Germany, Scotland, Slovenia, Australia, and New Zealand) in older adults.
The study, which was published in The Lancet Oncology, also showed that the rise in early-onset bowel cancer was faster among men than women in Chile, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Ecuador, Thailand, Sweden, Israel, and Croatia, while young women experienced faster increases in England, Norway, Australia, Türkiye, Costa Rica, and Scotland.
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Dr Sung continued: “The global scope of this concerning trend highlights the need for innovative tools to prevent and control cancers linked to dietary habits, physical inactivity, and excess body weight. Ongoing efforts are essential to identify the additional factors behind these trends and to develop effective prevention strategies tailored to younger generations and local resources worldwide.”
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, called the findings “concerning”. She said: “This flagship study reveals that increasing rates of early onset bowel cancer, affecting adults aged 25-49, is a global issue. Concerningly, this research has revealed for the first time ever that rates are rising more sharply in England than in many other countries around the world.
“A cancer diagnosis at any age has a huge impact on patients and their families – so while it’s important to note that rates in younger adults are still very low compared to people over 50, we need to understand what’s causing this trend in younger people.”
Symptoms
Dr Sung urged people to make sure they are aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer. This includes two signs that could appear on the toilet – rectal bleeding and altered bowel habits.
“Raising awareness of the trend and the distinct symptoms of early-onset colorectal cancer (such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, altered bowel habits, and unexplained weight loss) among young people and primary care providers can help reduce delays in diagnosis and decrease mortality,” she said.
The NHS lists symptoms of bowel cancer as:
- Changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you
- Needing to poo more or less often than usual for you
- Blood in your poo, which may look red or black
- Bleeding from your bottom
- Often feeling like you need to poo, even if you’ve just been to the toilet
- Tummy pain
- A lump in your tummy
- Bloating
- Losing weight without trying
- Feeling very tired for no reason.
If you experience any signs you should speak to your GP.