Research shows and increase in bowel cancer among young Australians.

Bowel cancer mostly affects people over the age of 50, but recent evidence suggests it’s on the rise among younger Australians.

A study, published recently in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, found the incidence of bowel cancer, has increased by up to 9% in people under 50 years of age, from the 1990s to date.

The research examined all recorded cases of bowel cancer from the past forty years in Australians aged over 20 years. Previous studies assessing bowel cancer incidence in young Australians have also seen an increase in the younger age group.

This trend is also seen in young people in the United States.

Could unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, like increased intake of highly processed foods be the problem?

Read more at The Conversation

                                                                                                           Image from Shutterstock