Bowel cancer death rates among the under 50s in the UK are predicted to rise by one third, with obesity, physical inactivity and poor diets being key factors.
Published in Annals of Oncology, the study predicts that bowel cancer mortality is set to rise by 39% in women and by 26% in men. These figures were produced when compared with the average between 2015 and 2019.
According to Cancer Research UK, around 54% of bowel cancer cases are preventable. Causes include:
- Eating too little fibre (28%)
- Eating processed meat (13%)
- Obesity (11%)
- Drinking alcohol (6%)
- Too little physical activity (5%).
Preventative approach
The study lead was Professor Carolo La Vecchia, professor of medical Statistics and epidemiology at the University of Milan. He said: ‘Key factors that contribute to the rise in bowel cancer rates among young people include overweight, obesity and related health conditions, such as high blood sugar levels and diabetes.
‘Additional reasons are increases in heavier alcohol drinking over time in central and northern Europe and the UK, and reductions in physical activity.
‘Alcohol consumption has been linked to early onset bowel cancer. Countries where there has been a reduction in alcohol consumption, such as France and Italy, have not experienced such marked rises in death rates from this cancer. Early onset bowel cancer tends to be more aggressive, with lower survival rates, compared to bowel cancer that is diagnosed in older people.’
In light of the findings, the researchers also called for additional preventative measures to be taken.
Professor Vecchia added: ‘In terms of prevention, governments should consider the extension of screening for bowel cancer to younger ages, starting at ages 45 years.
‘Screening programmes vary across Europe. But an increase in the incidence of bowel cancer among young people in the US has prompted the US Preventive Service Task Force to recommend lowering the age at which screening starts to 45 years.’
Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.
