Doctor issues crucial advice to young people as bowel cancer cases rise
Some key information has been highlighted by some top doctors about a type of cancer, for which cases have risen in young people.
According to doctors at Yale Medicine Colon & Rectal Surgery, younger patients with a diagnosis of colorectal cancer have increased in numbers in recent times.
The practice says the youngest patient it diagnosed was just 18 years old, highlighting the severity of the growing health issue.
Yale Medicine colorectal surgeon Haddon Pantel, MD explained: “We are seeing a clear uptick in colorectal cancer in younger generations.”
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A 2026 study by the American Cancer Society (ACS) found that while cancer mortality dropped by 44 percent in people under 50 in the US from 1990 to 2023, cases of colorectal cancer increased by 1.1 percent each year since 2005.
In doing so, it went from being the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in the age group, to the first.
As for Brits, Bowel Cancer UK found that it is the second most common cause of cancer death in the UK, while being the fourth most common cancer, as almost 44,000 people have been diagnosed.
But while bowel cancer is highly treatable, it can be a huge issue for young people, disrupting careers, finances, and everyday life.
There is no clear reason for the spike in colorectal cancer cases despite many theorising that a sedentary lifestyle and poor diet could contribute to the rise.
Experts though, have urged young people, much like everyone else, should communicate with their doctor if they notice any of these symptoms.
Signs of bowel cancer
Unusual stools
Yale medicine advices that you watch for changes in how your stool looks, with dark or black stools sometimes indicating bleeding from a tumour.
They advise that you also speak to a doctor if you have a stool that is 'narrow, thin or ribbon-like', as this may be a sign that a tumour is obstructing your bowels or rectum.
Rectal bleeding
This can include blood coming from the rectum, blood in the stool, or in the toilet following a bowel movement.
Any of these can be a sign to call your GP.
Low energy/tiredness
In extreme cases, constant tiredness could be caused by anemia from blood loss.
Yale medicine advise that if you are a young woman with chronic anemia which you may assume is caused by menstrual bleeding, it is worth exploring other causes, too.
Changes in bowel movements
Doctors advise that you look for loose stool (diarrhea) or constipation (under three bowel movements per week).
They say to pay close attention especially if the changes last for two weeks or more.
Doctors' advice
While you shouldn't assume anything, Dr Pantel explained: “Even if you're in your 20s or 30s, you should get checked out if you have rectal bleeding, if you have any change in your bowel habits, any change in appetite (like feeling “full” early), weight loss, or abdominal pain that is not explained.”
Your symptoms may be different to others you may know that have had colorectal cancer.
If you are looking to take precautions to avoid colorectal cancer, there are a number of things you can do.
Lifestyle changes to best avoid bowel cancer
- Quit smoking - This includes vaping, as smoking poses a higher risk for not just lung cancers, but also colorectal and other types of cancer.
- Exercise - If you are sedentary, you have a greater risk of developing colorectal cancer so it's worth keeping active.
- Drink responsibly - The American Cancer Society advises that men have no more than two drinks a day, while women should not go above one per day.
- Lose weight - Linking to the exercise point, being overweight or obese puts you at risk of developing colorectal cancer and potentially dying because of it.
- Fibre-rich diet - It is advised that you take in 25 grams of fibre per day to maintain a healthy colon, meaning you should look to load up on fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Joshua Nair