Millennials urged to ‘know your normal’ as cases of bowel cancer rise in 20-39 year olds

FROME-based charity, The Bowel Movement, is urging young people to ‘know their normal’ as cases of bowel cancer among younger adults have shown an alarming increase. 

The Bowel Movement was set up by Frome woman, Abby Morris, in memory of her brother, Benj Millard, who died aged 33 on April 15th 2019, following a battle with bowel cancer. And with April being Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the charity’s ‘#KnowYourNormal’ campaign aims to encourage young adults to visit their GP if they notice any persistent changes which last for three weeks or more. They are also urging everyone to become familiar with the common signs and symptoms of bowel cancer and emphasise that not all symptoms need to be present before seeking medical advice.

Benjamin regularly went to the gym, ate well and was well below the national screening age for bowel cancer (currently 60 in England, 55 in Wales and 50 in Scotland).

Abby recalls “After numerous visits to the GP, Benj was eventually identified as anaemic and at risk of heart failure. Following an urgent colonoscopy, he was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer which had spread to his lymph nodes and other organs. He was immediately placed onto palliative care, meaning any treatment he received was to prolong his life rather than cure his disease. Sadly, after a gruelling seven months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, he entered a hospice and died just two weeks before his 34th birthday.

Raise awareness

“His loss has left an immeasurable hole in our lives, but we are passionate about channelling this grief into something positive. As a charity, we want to challenge the misconception that young people don’t get bowel cancer. Our aim is to normalise conversations around our bowel habits and to help raise awareness of the common signs and symptoms, particularly among other young adults.”

Recent studies have shown that cases of bowel cancer among people aged 20 to 39 have increased dramatically.  The studies show that people born in the ‘90s are now more likely to be diagnosed with bowel and rectal cancers than those born in the ‘70s.

Similar trends have been observed across the globe, with early onset colon and rectal cancer estimated to become the leading cause of cancer death in individuals aged 20 to 49 years by 2030. The reasons for this sharp increase are currently unknown; however studies suggest that genetics, family history, the gut microbiome, delayed diagnosis and low screening rates may play a role.

Despite being the second largest cancer killer in the UK, bowel cancer is highly treatable and even curable if caught early, with 90% of stage one patients surviving five years or more. Yet, an increasing number of young adults are being diagnosed when their cancer is at a more advanced stage, meaning treatment options can be limited, treatment is often more complex and expensive and sadly long-term outcomes are poorer.

A recent YouGov survey found that 38% of people across the UK were unable to name a single symptom of bowel cancer, and half of young people surveyed in the Never Too Young Report were unaware that they could even develop bowel cancer at a young age. This lack of knowledge and awareness has been shown to delay the likelihood of someone seeking medical help when presented with symptoms, and delays to diagnosis can cost lives.

Symptoms:

Think BOWELS;

Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your stools,

Obvious change in bowel habits such as persistent diarrhoea or constipation,

Weight loss for no explained reason,

Extreme fatigue,

Lump or pain in your tummy or bottom,

Symptoms can also include, bloating, discomfort from food, mucus in your stools, cramping, low back pain, anaemia.

These symptoms can also indicate other medical conditions; however it is important to get it checked. If you notice any changes, please contact your GP to arrange an appointment today. Don’t delay.

For more details, visit https://www.thebowelmovement.uk