Rising levels of obesity and being overweight are contributing to increasing mortality rates from bowel cancer among people aged under 50, especially in the UK, research has warned.
The study in the journal Annals of Oncology has highlighted that, overall, there has been a 6.5% decline among men and 4.3% among women in EU total cancer mortality rates between 2018 and 2024.
However, this wider positive downward trend is being offset by an increase in predicted bowel cancer death rates among younger adults, picking up on a trend researchers first noted in 2021. The finding has led to a call for more health surveillance and screening, especially of these younger-age cohorts.
The research team, led by Professor Carlo La Vecchia, professor of medical statistics and epidemiology at the University of Milan, predicted that the greatest increase in bowel cancer death rates among younger people will be seen in the UK, where they will rise by 26% in men and nearly 39% in women in 2024, as compared to 2018.
Increases will also be seen in Italy (up 1.5% in men and 2.6% in women), among Spanish and Polish men (up 5.5% and 5.9% respectively) and German women (up 7.2%), the research predicted.
Cancer and work
Employees with cancer unhappy with return-to-work support
Devolved nations urged to implement targeted lung cancer screening
Warning of half million new cancer cases a year by 2040 without government action
The researchers analysed cancer death rates in the 27 European Union member states and separately in the UK. They looked at the five most populous EU countries (France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain) and, individually, for stomach, intestines, pancreas, lung, breast, uterus (including cervix), ovary, prostate, bladder and leukaemias for men and women.
Within the EU, increases in mortality from lung cancer are also predicted in females and from pancreatic cancer in both sexes.
Although declining rates of smoking were improving the picture, lifestyle factors such as poor diet, being overweight and obesity were offsetting this, the study highlighted.
“Key factors that contribute to the rise in bowel cancer rates among young people include overweight, obesity and related health conditions, such as high blood sugar levels and diabetes,” said Professor La Vecchia.
“Additional reasons are increases in heavier alcohol drinking over time in central and northern Europe and the UK, and reductions in physical activity. Alcohol consumption has been linked to early onset bowel cancer, and countries where there has been a reduction in alcohol consumption, such as France and Italy, have not experienced such marked rises in death rates from this cancer.
“National governments should consider strengthening policies to encourage increased physical activity, a reduction in the number of people who are overweight or obese, and a reduction in alcohol consumption.
“In terms of prevention, governments should consider the extension of screening for bowel cancer to younger ages, starting at ages 45 years,” he added.
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
