Australia sets grim new world's worst cancer rate - as the possible reasons for the surge in cases are revealed
New research from the University of Melbourne unveiled this week revealed that bowel cancer diagnoses have more than doubled for Australians below the age of 50 over the last three decades.
The study found that more than 28,265 Aussies aged 20-49 were diagnosed with 49 early-onset bowel cancer between 1990 and 2020.
The authors suggested that, during the same period, there has been an increase in cases which resulted in an additional 4347 diagnosed with the early-onset condition.
Bowel Cancer Australia advocate Stephanie Bansemer-Brown was 42 when she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2012.
'The GP dismissed my symptoms as haemorrhoids and put my tiredness down to being a busy mother of a toddler,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.
'I knew something wasn't right with my body so eventually I insisted on a colonoscopy.'
Ms Bansemer-Brown was diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer and had extensive surgery followed by chemotherapy.
'I am lucky I pushed for further investigation otherwise my now-teenage son would have been without a mother. That is the stark reality,' she said.
Earlier this year, a global study published in The Lancet found Australia has the highest rates of early-onset bowel cancer in the world, with a faster surge in cases found among women.
But Professor Mark Jenkins from University of Melbourne's colorectal cancer unit has warned the cause of the increasing number of cases remains unclear.
'More and more people are diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer each year and we don't know why,' he told ABC Radio National.
'Probably the strongest theory at the moment is it's something to do with the bacteria in our gut, which we call the microbiome... Maybe they've become more toxic.'
Professor Jenkins and his colleagues have also looked at theories centred on trends of increasing obesity and decreasing physical activity among Australians.
He also suggested there are theories focused on the decline in aspirin use during childhood, which protects people from the cancer, and the presence of microplastics in food.
'But it could be something else completely. It could be an unknown factor that we haven't thought of,' he said.
Professor Jenkins and other advocates have urged Aussies to be aware of 'red flags' ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in June.
Those aged 45-49 are eligible for the national bowel cancer screening program which helps with diagnosing cases.
Younger Aussies are also urged to be vigilant for symptoms including blood in stool, changes to bowel habits and unexplained or unexpected weight loss or tiredness.
Twelve years since her diagnosis, Ms Bansemer-Brown shared her story to raise awareness.
'You are never too young for bowel cancer and I encourage everyone to recognise the signs and symptoms,' she said.
'You must be a champion for your own health and if you are not happy with the response then seek another opinion.
'You know your body better than anyone.'
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