Bowel cancer cases have seen a significant increase across all age groups since the 1990s, with a particularly sharp rise observed in individuals under 50. In Britain, those under 49 are now approximately 50% more likely to develop bowel cancer compared to their counterparts three decades ago. Globally, the situation is even more pronounced, with bowel cancer cases doubling in the same period.
An analysis of NHS data from 2022, conducted by the Daily Mail, highlights substantial variations in bowel cancer diagnoses across different regions in the UK, with some areas showing up to 75% more diagnoses than others. This data, standardized for age to account for population demographics, identifies NHS Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent as having the highest rate of diagnosis for men, at 96.2 per 100,000 people. For women, NHS Suffolk and North East Essex recorded the highest rate at 69.1 per 100,000.
The lowest diagnosis rate for women was observed in NHS North West London, with 48.6 per 100,000. For men, NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland had the lowest rate at 70 per 100,000. Across all regions, men presented with a higher incidence of bowel cancer than women, aligning with established global trends. Following Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, men in NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire and those in Lancashire and South Cumbria showed the next highest rates of diagnosis.
Experts have long associated bowel cancer outcomes with socioeconomic deprivation, noting that individuals in poorer areas are more likely to be diagnosed with and die from the disease. Stoke-on-Trent, identified as having high rates of bowel cancer, is also ranked among the most deprived areas in England.
Factors such as diets high in ultra-processed foods and increasingly sedentary lifestyles are believed to be contributing to the rising incidence of bowel cancer. These lifestyle factors are also frequently linked to deprivation.
The trend is not unique to the UK. Cases are also on the rise in the United States. Research from the American Cancer Society (ACS) indicates an approximate 3% annual increase in bowel cancer diagnoses among young adults. The ACS predicts 158,850 new cases and 55,230 deaths in the US in 2026.
Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president of surveillance, prevention and health services research at the ACS, stated that colorectal cancer can no longer be considered solely a disease of older individuals and emphasized the need for increased research into the causes driving this increase in younger generations born since 1950.
Preventative measures suggested by health professionals include adopting a diet rich in plants and fiber, maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, avoiding smoking, moderating alcohol consumption, and managing stress. These lifestyle choices are considered crucial in reducing an individual's risk of developing bowel cancer. The campaign for greater awareness and early detection was notably championed by Dame Deborah James, who died from the disease in 2022 at the age of 40.