Bowel cancer may commonly be associated with older Australians, but a sharp rise in diagnoses among younger people is prompting renewed calls for greater awareness, healthier lifestyles and earlier investigation of symptoms.
Around 14,900 Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, according to figures cited by health charity Doctors For Nutrition. The disease remains one of the nation’s most commonly diagnosed cancers and the second-leading cause of cancer death.
While the risk increases significantly with age, international research shows bowel cancer is becoming more common among people under 50.
The widely reported 266 per cent increase relates particularly to international incidence rates among adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 not the entire under-50 population. About one in 10 bowel cancer cases is now diagnosed in someone younger than 50.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data also shows the disease poses a serious threat to younger Australians. In 2024, bowel cancer was estimated to be the leading cause of cancer death among men under 50 and the second-leading cause among women in that age group.
New courses focus on prevention
Doctors For Nutrition has launched two online courses in response to the growing health concern.
Preventing Bowel Cancer in Clinical Practice is an on-demand professional-development course for GPs and other primary healthcare clinicians. It has been approved as a continuing professional development activity by the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.
The course examines evidence surrounding bowel cancer prevention and offers clinicians strategies for discussing nutrition, lifestyle, screening and behaviour change with patients.
A separate course, Preventing Bowel Cancer, has been developed for members of the public. It is intended to explain how everyday decisions may influence bowel cancer risk and help people establish healthier long-term habits.
Doctors For Nutrition chief executive Rebecca Stonor said prevention and early detection could make a substantial difference.
“A bowel cancer diagnosis affects thousands of Australian families every year, but many cases can be prevented, and outcomes are dramatically improved through early detection,” Ms Stonor said.
“Nutrition and other lifestyle factors play an important role in reducing bowel cancer risk, while screening can save lives.”
She said the clinical course would provide health professionals with current evidence and practical strategies for prevention, early detection and long-term health.
Lifestyle is important but not the only factor
Cancer Australia identifies several potentially modifiable bowel cancer risk factors, including physical inactivity, excess body weight, smoking, high alcohol consumption, inadequate dietary fibre and high consumption of processed meat.
A diet containing a variety of fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains can help increase fibre intake. Regular physical activity, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking and maintaining a healthy weight can also reduce risk.
However, a healthy lifestyle cannot eliminate the possibility of developing bowel cancer.
Other risk factors include increasing age, family history, inherited genetic conditions, previous bowel polyps and inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Anyone concerned about their individual risk particularly those with a family history of bowel cancer should speak with their GP rather than relying on general lifestyle advice alone.
Early detection brings much better outcomes
Early detection remains one of the strongest protections against bowel cancer death.
Cancer Australia reports that five-year relative survival for stage-one bowel cancer is between 95 and 100 per cent, depending on age. The Australian Government advises that more than 90 per cent of cases can be successfully treated when found early.
People should seek medical advice if they experience possible symptoms, regardless of their age.
Warning signs can include:
- blood in the stool or rectal bleeding;
- a persistent change in bowel habits;
- unexplained weight loss;
- persistent abdominal pain, swelling or discomfort;
- unexplained anaemia; or
- unusual or continuing tiredness.
These symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer, but they should not be ignored or self-diagnosed.
Free screening available from 45
Australians aged 45 to 74 are eligible to participate in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program every two years.
People aged 45 to 49 can request their first free test kit online, by speaking with a healthcare professional or by calling the program. People aged 50 to 74 are generally mailed a kit automatically every two years.
The home test is intended for people who do not have symptoms. Anyone experiencing symptoms should see a doctor and not wait for a screening kit.
Further information about free screening is available through the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
The two education programs are available through Doctors For Nutrition.
This article is based on information supplied by Doctors For Nutrition, with key screening, risk and survival information checked against Cancer Australia, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and the Australian Government Department of Health.
