More people from the younger generation are being diagnosed – know these seven warning signs
Dr Amir Khan shared why people are ‘never too young’ to be affected by this cancer(Image: ITV)
A doctor has warned that nobody is ever “too young for bowel cancer“. A regular on ITV programmes, Dr Amir Khan highlighted that an increasing number of younger people are receiving diagnoses and urged the public to recognise the warning signs.
Speaking during a recent This Morning appearance, he said: “We are seeing younger people getting diagnosed with bowel cancer right across the board, particularly in wealthier countries. We think that is because of several things that happen all throughout life, and it starts in childhood.
“We’re seeing it in these generations more so now than we did in previous generations. It’s exposure to ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, being overweight and a sedentary lifestyle.”
Dr Khan added that “all of those things add up over time”, pointing to a rise in diagnoses among those under 50, reports the Mirror. Despite bowel cancer being widely associated with older age groups, the doctor insisted no one is ever “too young for bowel cancer”
Posting the clip from the popular daytime programme on his Instagram page, Dr Khan wrote: “It’s never anyone’s fault they get cancer, but Cancer Research UK suggest 54% of bowel cancer cases can be prevented through eating whole foods, especially plants with lots of fibre, minimising alcohol, stopping smoking, keeping active and getting to a healthy weight.”
In certain instances, the risk may be hereditary. Cancer Research suggested that people speak to their GP if they believe they have a family history of bowel cancer.
A spokesperson said: “[The doctor] might refer you to a genetics clinic if appropriate. A geneticist conducts a detailed assessment and can determine whether people need screening or genetic testing.”
Around 44,100 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK each year. It is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research.
What are the warning signs of bowel cancer?
According to Cancer Research UK, some of the indicators that someone may have bowel cancer include a change in their usual bowel habits or blood in their stool. These can equally be symptoms of other conditions, so it is important to consult a doctor and get everything properly evaluated.
A list of possible symptoms includes:
- bleeding from the back passage (rectum) or blood in your poo
- a change in your normal bowel habit, such as looser poo, pooing more often or constipation
- a lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or tummy (abdomen)
- a feeling of needing to strain in your back passage (as if you need to poo), even after opening your bowels
- losing weight when you haven’t been trying to
- pain in your abdomen or back passage
- tiredness and breathlessness caused by a lower than normal level of red blood cells (anaemia)
Speak to your GP if you have concerns about any of the symptoms listed above. Bear in mind that these symptoms can be triggered by other conditions that are far less serious than cancer, such as piles (haemorrhoids), infections, IBS or inflammatory bowel disease.