Bernie Carter
Assistant Director of Nursing Services, Marie Keating Foundation
Approximately 1 in 5 bowel cancers are diagnosed in someone under 60. The incidence of bowel cancer in people under 50 has almost doubled in 25 years.
As part of their #NoRegrets bowel cancer awareness campaign, the Marie Keating Foundation called on the Government to reduce the age of bowel cancer screening from 59 to 50.
Why reducing bowel cancer screening age is important
- Around 1 in 5 bowel cancers are diagnosed in under-60s while 1 in 10 are under 50.
- According to the National Cancer Registry in Ireland, the incidence of bowel cancer in people under 50 has almost doubled in 25 years.
- Approximately 22% of bowel cancers diagnosed during 2014–2018 were in people under 60.
- Most countries begin screening for bowel cancer at the age of 50 as recommended by the European Code Against Cancer.
- The European Commission recommends the expansion of bowel cancer screening for adults between 50 and 74.
The US and Australia have lowered the screening age to 45 years given the increase in early-onset bowel cancer. England has a four-year plan to extend bowel screening from 54–74 to 50–74. Scotland screens from 50–74; Wales (51–74).
As part of the national cancer strategy, Ireland plans to extend bowel screening to ages 55–74 over five years.
Bowel cancer causes and risk factors
The exact reason for increased bowel cancer in younger people is unknown. Last January, Yale Medicine doctors stated that sedentary lifestyle, overweight and obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, low-fibre diet, high saturated fat diets or diets high in processed meats and other environmental factors have all been associated with the disease.
Signs and symptoms of bowel cancer
Be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer. Listen to your body, and see a GP if you notice anything new. Those under the screening age of 59 must be vigilant; don’t wait until you reach screening age to get checked. People must still avail of current bowel screening, which is for ages 59–69.
- Changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation, narrowing of stool for no obvious reason for six weeks or more)
- Blood in the stool (rectal bleeding)
- Abdominal cramps, pain or bloating that won’t go away
- Sudden, unexplained weight loss
- A lump in your back passage or tummy
- A feeling of straining (needing to go to the toilet even after opening your bowels)
- Tiredness and breathlessness
These can also be symptoms of other conditions, so it’s important to see your GP.
Visit mariekeating.ie for more information on bowel cancer.
