A study published in the journal Lancet Oncology showed that, when examined in terms of bowel cancer cases in individuals under the age of 50, England was one of the countries with the fastest increase. Within the scope of the research, bowel cancer data from 50 different countries were examined. An increase in disease rates was seen in 27 countries. The largest annual increase rates were listed as New Zealand (4 percent), Chile (4 percent), Puerto Rico (3.8 percent) and the United Kingdom (3.6 percent). Experts said that factors such as junk food consumption, obesity and physical inactivity may lie behind this increase.
“This is a global phenomenon,” said Hyuna Sung of the American Cancer Society. “Previously, the increase was only seen in Western countries, but now it is documented all over the world,” he said.
Colon cancer is the third most frequently diagnosed type of cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Experts state that awareness should be increased, especially against symptoms such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss.
Emphasizing that the increase in younger generations is a global threat, researchers say that awareness campaigns and prevention strategies that will facilitate early diagnosis should be implemented quickly.
DHA