Worrying increase in bowel cancer in the young, fit & healthy

[notyetretired]

Just curious to know why this is?

There have been lots of reports lately reporting that the incidence of bowel cancer has increased to a worrying degree in the young, attributing it to a number of possible causes (e.g. microbiome/gut bacteria, processed food & meat consumption, obesity, screening younger etc).

However, many clinical experts have been baffled as to why they are increasingly seeing those who are genuinely young, fit and healthy (consuming no or very little meat/processed food and alcohol and who are into regular exercise). Several high profile cases fit this - Bowel Babe to name just one.

I'm curious to know why this is so? Of course, various studies are still ongoing any researchers on here with theories or observations as to what might be behind this rise? Also interested in more anecdotal evidence as to life style issues that might be contributing and which fit the timelines of the increases.

There's obviously multiple factors at work here but I do think there is better awareness diagnosis so slow growing cancers are diagnosed earlier, there's also a push to diagnose the elderly whereas a generation ago past a certain age they didn't even run tests do death was "old age" or heart failure rather than the underlying cause (adding to the overall numbers). As to the perception of younger people, I'm wondering if it's partly due to us sharing the information, if a younger person has bowel cancer in your local area, there may be fundraisers to send the family on holiday or something publicised through social media, sharing it on.

I'm not doubting lifestyle factors, higher fat and salt content less vegetables, I'm not talking about individual blame I'm talking about at a population level.

As to other cancers, I know a bit due to exh's specialism and he was adamant I didn't take the pill or hrt, due to my family history it was too high risk. I haven't.

This is interesting as both my grandparents died of bowel cancer but they ate almost no UPFs. My granny never bought biscuits, it was always homemade flapjack and shortbread, she made all their own ice cream from fruit out the garden and made all their own bread. As far as I know they never ate a ready meal in their lives and didn’t even use jars and things. Meals were simple meat and veg and much of the veg was home grown so it’s surprising that they both got bowel cancer when you take into account their lifestyle.

It has been known for decades that artificial sweetners and low fat foods are really bad for us, yet still these things are heavily marketed and sold. It is cynical profiteering at the cost of public health.

I’ve read it’s to do with obesity increases int he young. Look at the food apps and the regular takeaway eating that happens now.You only have to look around you. Of course there will always be cancer in slim, for people- the pow is a case in point.

OP@notyetretired I would challenge the definition of “young fit and healthy” when bowel cancer is strongly related to lifestyle and dietary factors…it’s still more likely to be increased risks associated with red meat/ processed meat/ alcohol which are all strongly associated with colo-rectal cancer ( regular and /or excessive alcohol consumption has perhaps changed for women who were young in the 80’s/2000’s in particular ) consumption of sweetened/ soda type drinks in adolescence/early adulthood is associated with increased risk for women in particular and sedentary behaviour also associated with increased risk. Combine that with poor gut biome dioversity and it’s pretty self explanatory. The prevalence of severe obesity & obesity in general has also increased significantly since the 90’s in men & women .

It would be appreciated if people would be mindful that people with cancer have their threads in this section and there's some quite unpleasant posts in here blaming people for their cancers presumably to make others feel they are immune. Its difficult enough for people to have cancer without being subject to blame. I have reported thread to Mumsnet and asking if they can move it away from our section. Lovely lady died at 27 from bowel cancer on our threads.

Thank you to the previous posters who pointed out their are very insensitive posts on here unfortunately they are continuing.

I agree about the sweeping statements re diet and cancer, IBD, allergies. It feels like people assume that certain choices have led to these conditions.

My diet has less UPF than anyone else I personally know. I have a healthy BMI, I’m fairly fit. I’m just bloody unlucky to have bowel disease and therefore a raised risk of bowel cancer. Even for those with a less healthy lifestyle you still can’t pinpoint that as being the reason.

On the flip side I know of some people with incredibly unhealthy lifestyles who have no medical issues whatsoever.

No, cancer doesn’t feed on sugar. So tiresome when this gets touted out as a fact

This thread needs to be taken down, it’s inappropriate. I have just received treatment for bowel cancer. Then some ignorant comment saying cancer feeds on sugar? Why put that when it isn’t true? Where is your information to back up your comment??

I think the consumption of really milky drinks doesn't help i.e. lattes, cappuccinos, etc.

Along with dreamy sugary frappes etc, they just are not good for your health.

My 38 year old cousins had colon cancer
She is the healthiest person ever. So it's absolutely not just about that.

I really apologise and am so sorry for your diagnosis. It's such a random disease. I really hope science can come up with some answers soon. I hate living with the threat of this. X

coxesorangepippin · Today 23:55
Aye milky sugary drinks definitely caused my colon cancer?? 🙄🤡 WTF

This is just utter bollocks

Plastics. Whether you eat healthy food.or ultra processed crap, it's likely to be packaged in or at some point in contact with plastic. It's in the water, in the bottles you drink from, in your microwaveable meals and it houses your medication. It's literally everywhere and seeping toxins continuously.

Plastic baby bottles from glass was one of the changes around that time. And BPA banned in 2007 ISH. I'm surprised more people don't use the glass bottles. More eco friendly too, and much faster to cool down bottles.

You've made assumptions about body size and health a number of times. Being "slim" does not mean someone is "fit and healthy", and many people who are overweight or obese are in fact more healthy in other measures.

Slim-looking people can be stuffed full of visceral fat, with fat in their internal organs, fatty liver, etc.

I think it is generally well recognized that bowel cancer is increased in those in a diet low in fruit and vegetables and whole grains, and hence in fibre. People who eat fast food as a regular or frequent meal - unlike as an occasional treat, back in the 1970s - and people who subsequently aren't getting decent amounts of a variety of vegetables, tend to develop bowel and other cancers.

I also know of 2 young women ( both in 30's) who have died of bowel cancer. They were both healthy , active and slim. Also a middle aged lady who had it but her's was caught in time and she seems to be fine ( went to the doctor because of fatigue and was sent for tests).

I was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year in my 50s. I know what caused it - it’s genetic.

Once you get to your 50s you will know many people who are diagnosed with various cancers. And you will know that there is not one factor that defines them. They are fat, thin, fit, unfit, drinkers, teetotallers, vegetarians and carnivores. The ‘healthier’ people aren’t rewarded with better prognoses. My dodgy genes which gave me cancer are also somehow protective. People with my type of bowel cancer generally have better outcomes than the general population who develops bowel cancer. And yet even with a genetic test available and a defined population to study, researchers still don’t know why that is. They have theories but they’re unproven.

My colorectal surgeon did mention the rise in incidence of bowel cancer in younger people. Being a scientist he suggests research is needed. But I guess instead we could all just go around feeling smug and self satisfied about our low intake of milky drinks FOR FUCKS SAKE or whatever other dietary obsession we personally have.

And maybe we can all learn that risk factors are not absolute. Nothing you do - I repeat NOTHING - will guarantee you won’t get cancer. Maybe donate to medical research and keep your ridiculous unproven opinions to yourselves.

Excellent post @Remaker - I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in my 30’s for the simple reason that I have a genetic abnormality which predisposes me to getting colon and other cancers. Sorry to piss on the chips of the self-satisfied “dietary factors” brigade! I was also vegetarian and a runner, like Deborah James.

My colorectal surgeon did mention the rise in incidence of bowel cancer in younger people. Being a scientist he suggests research is needed

Same here. I had a screening colonoscopy and the surgeon discussed the possibility of lowering screening ages to address the risk in younger people, but he admitted they are clueless as to why we are seeing this rise in bowel cancer in this age group.

He also said that at this time there is insufficient data to recommend any particular diet as being "protective" against bowel cancer. Dietary studies are conflicting and often flawed. It's an active area of research.

I am sorry for those who have been diagnosed with bowel cancer, and who have a genetic/family history background. But basic lifestyle choices do affect risk:

What are the risk factors for bowel cancer? | Cancer Australia

Lifestyle & risk reduction | Cancer Australia

It is well-known that a low-fibre diet (ie one low in vegetables and wholegrains, and usually then higher in meats and processed foods) is a risk factor.

This is just utter bollocks

^ RE. Milky drinks

Really? Are you sure?

Because young people weren't drinking that 50 years ago,.full of milk, sugar and additives, and didn't have colon cancer?

Sorry. Drinking what exactly? Do you mean flavoured milk. If so that was the biggest seller in my school canteen in the 80's by a mile. Apologies if you meant some other kind of milky drink? Flat whites?