"Bowel cancer samples that have been stored for up to a century will be analysed to try to solve the mysterious rise of the disease in young people. Despite the majority of bowel cancers still being found in older adults, the rise in younger patients has been seen around the world. This includes in the UK where bowel cancer rates have increased by 75% in the under-24s since the early 1990s - but scientists are unclear why."
"Science doesn't have a clear answer either. Everything from obesity and ultra-processed foods, to antibiotics and the microbiome to air pollution and microplastics have been suggested. "Bowel cancer in people under the age of 50 is increasing worldwide, including in the UK, and it's becoming more and more of a problem," said Dr Kevin Monahan, consultant gastroenterologist at St Mark's hospital. "We need to develop ways that we can prevent these""
Bowel cancer incidence among people under 50 is increasing globally, with UK rates in under-24s up 75% since the early 1990s. Archived bowel cancer samples at St Mark's National Bowel Hospital, some stored up to a century, are undergoing advanced analysis to determine causes and changes over decades. Possible contributing factors include obesity, ultra-processed foods, antibiotics effects on the microbiome, air pollution, and microplastics, but causes remain unclear. Young patients like Holly, diagnosed at 23, face aggressive treatment, long-term consequences such as stomas, and significant emotional and physical impacts despite subsequent cancer-free status.
Read at www.bbc.com
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