Fastest Rise in Bowel Cancer Deaths
A recent study conducted by Italian researchers indicates that junk food and alcohol consumption are contributing to the fastest rise in bowel cancer deaths. The study predicts a 26% increase in deaths among men and a 39% increase among women aged 25 to 49 in the UK this year compared to 2018, marking the largest increase on the continent.
Contributing Factors
Professor Carlo La Vecchia, from the University of Milan, highlights that factors such as overweight, obesity, high blood sugar levels, and diabetes are contributing to the rise in bowel cancer deaths. Additionally, heavier alcohol consumption over time and reduced physical activity are also playing a role. Conversely, countries like France and Italy, where alcohol consumption has decreased, have not experienced such significant increases in death rates from this type of cancer.
The Impact on Younger Individuals
Bowel cancer is now the third most common cancer in the UK, with 41,596 new diagnoses in 2021. It is also the second deadliest cancer in the country, claiming the lives of 16,000 individuals each year. Of concern is the fact that bowel cancer diagnosed in younger people tends to be more aggressive, resulting in lower survival rates compared to diagnoses in older individuals.
Call for Earlier Testing and Treatments
Trending In The News's No Time 2 Lose campaign, led by Dame Deborah James, is advocating for earlier testing and treatments to improve survival rates in the UK. According to Bowel Cancer UK, nine out of ten patients survive bowel cancer when diagnosed at the earliest stage.
Predicted Death Rates
The study, published in Annals of Oncology, analyzed death rates in the UK and the EU to predict the rates for this year. Overall, death rates are expected to fall by 3% to 14 per 100,000 in men and remain around 10 per 100,000 in women in Britain compared to 2018. In the EU, rates are projected to decrease by 5% to 15 per 100,000 in men and 9% to 8 per 100,000 in women. However, rates among individuals under the age of 50, who are typically less likely to develop the disease, are increasing.
Recommendations
Professor La Vecchia suggests that national governments should consider implementing policies to promote increased physical activity, reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity, and decrease alcohol consumption. Moreover, he recommends extending the screening for bowel cancer to younger ages, starting at 45 years old, as a preventive measure.
