Key Facts:
• Latest international research foreshadows a doubling of early-onset bowel cancer rates approximately every 20 years if current trends continue • Early-onset patients (40-49) have lower investigation rates Australian research finds • Rates are rising faster in young women compared to young men • Bowel cancer is now the deadliest cancer for Australians aged 25-54
• Latest international research foreshadows a doubling of early-onset bowel cancer rates approximately every 20 years if current trends continue • Early-onset patients (40-49) have lower investigation rates Australian research finds • Rates are rising faster in young women compared to young men • Bowel cancer is now the deadliest cancer for Australians aged 25-54
Wednesday, 27 May 2026, Sydney: A disturbing trend has emerged over the last two decades as new generations of young Australians are diagnosed with bowel cancer in increasing numbers.
According to the latest research published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute,i if this trend continues, we will see a doubling of early-onset bowel cancer (diagnosed under age 50) rates approximately every 20 years in Australia, Canada, England and the US and in both sexes.
The research shows over the past 10 years of available data, averaged across the four countries, the decade trend increase for early-onset bowel cancer was 3.7% per annum (3.2% among men and 4.3% among women), and 7% among young adults aged 20-39 (5.6% among men and 8.4% among women).
"Stage IV early-onset bowel cancer needs to be treated as a new disease; however, we are currently hamstrung by inherited metastatic disease management paradigms for the diagnosis, treatment and care of younger patients," said Medical Oncologist and Bowel Cancer Australia spokesperson, Dr Prasad Cooray.
"Rates are rising faster in young women who are disproportionately affected by an adverse cancer gene mutation, that is biologically aggressive, harder to treat and is often resistant to chemotherapy.
"An evolving bowel cancer landscape sees us witnessing a significant shift towards younger age at diagnosis and more advanced stage at presentation," he added.
"We are experiencing an age-related divergence with increasing incidence among younger Australians occurring alongside decreasing incidence among people aged 50-74 years. "Many younger patients do not fit the traditional risk profiles as they are active, maintain a healthy weight, and lack a family history," Dr Cooray said.
According to a recent study published in the British Medical Journalii, apart from BMI, trends in behavioural risk such as alcohol use, obesity, physical inactivity, red and processed meat consumption and low fibre intake, are unlikely to be substantial contributors to the increase in early-onset bowel cancer at the population level, with incidence rates increasing despite favourable trends in several known risk factors.
To date, no single factor explains the magnitude or pace of the increase, however, genetics, diet,gut bacteria, microbiome changes, antibiotic exposure, ultra-processed foods, sweetened beverages, microplastics, and environmental exposures have all been proposed as potential contributors.
"This uncertainty underscores the urgency for research as we still do not fully understand why early-onset bowel cancer is on the rise," Bowel Cancer Australia CEO, Julien Wiggins said.
Australian research into variations in the investigations of bowel cancer-related symptoms in primary care, published in the British Journal of General Practice,iii found early-onset patients (40-49) had lower investigation rates despite rising bowel cancer incidence in younger adults.
"Despite this alarming trajectory, many younger adults continue to be diagnosed with advanced disease due to low clinical suspicion and limited screening options," Mr Wiggins added.
"Each year, over 1,880 young people in their 20's, 30's and 40's will hear the words 'you have bowelcancer', the equivalent of 5 new cases each day," he added.
About us:
June is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, Bowel Cancer Australia's signature event to raise awareness of Australia's second deadliest cancer & funds for the leading community-funded charity dedicated to championing what matters most to people impacted by bowel cancer and empowering everyone affected to live their best life. Since 2014 Bowel Cancer Australia has been the leading voice in raising awareness and advocating for early-onset bowel cancer through the #Never2Young initiative; our annual activation, Call on Canberra; and a lowering of the screening age.
