As doctors emphasise that a 'silent killer' is on the rise in both Gen Zs and Millennials, we're taking a look at the NHS' official advice on the disease.
This includes the causes of this common type of cancer, the signs that it may be present within the body - which are often overlooked - and the treatments that those who receive a diagnosis will likely undergo.
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Ever since the 1990s, cases of cancer found within the bowels, colon or rectum have been gradually increasing, particularly in young people.
According to Cancer Research UK, approximately 44,100 new bowel cancer cases are diagnosed in Britain per year, making it one of the most common variations of the disease.
These worrying statistics extend way beyond our minuscule island, however, and in the US specifically, 20 percent of colorectal cancer cases reported in 2019 were found to be in citizens below 50 years of age.
The issue with this form of cancer in particular is that it can be particularly difficult to diagnose, with most symptoms often flying under the radar, therefore earning it the nickname the 'silent killer'.
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But in order to raise awareness of the signs to keep an eye out, we must first know the most common 'causes', as well as the courses of treatment we may need to refer to at some point in our lives.
Causes
Doctors haven't yet established a single cause for the rise in colon cancer, though some medics say the ongoing obesity epidemic may have something to do with it.
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GPs have also suggested that younger members of society are less aware of the symptoms of the disease - and because of this, they're less likely to visit a GP over them.
Tim Spector, an epidemiologist, and scientific co-founder of health science company ZOE, previously told Newsweek that Gen Z and Millennial diets aren’t great, and are often filled with ultra-processed foods.
He said: "It seems that younger generations want to eat well. However, because 'wellness' has become fashionable, there's a great deal of misinformation on social media. This can make it difficult for people of any age to know how to eat healthily.”
The NHS also says that more generally, individuals over 50, those who smoke, people who are overweight, individuals whose family member have previously suffered the same form of cancer and people with an inflammatory bowel disease could be more at risk.
Symptoms
According to the UK health service, the most obvious indication that something sinister may be going on within the lower intestine, colon or rectum is a change to a person's stools.
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This could refer to the shape or consistency of each bowel movement, or how often/how urgent the feeling of needing to use the bathroom for number two becomes.
Masses of dark red blood found in your excrement could also be a sign of bowel cancer, as could severe pain in the abdominal area.
There are several other more low-key symptoms of the disease, which often go unnoticed as they can be signs of other, more common ailments.
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These can include:
- Feeling a lump in your stomach
- Bloating
- Losing weight without attempting to
- Feeling fatigued
Getting diagnosed
Tests for colon cancer likely begin with a colonoscopy, which sees a tube fitted with a camera being used from the bottom to inspect the bowels.
It's not as painful as it sounds, however, and most GPs offer either a sedative or painkillers to help patients feel more comfortable.
During this procedure, a small sample of the bowel will likely be retrieved using a biopsy, which will later be tested.
Treatment
If a colorectal cancer diagnosis is given, the course of treatment will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the tumour/mass found, whether or not and to where the cancer might have spread, if the cancer has genetic changes, as your age and general health.
According to the NHS, common courses of treatment in the UK involve:
- Surgery - which usually sees part or all of the bowel being removed.
- Chemotherapy - this is aimed at killing cancer cells and can be done after surgery or as a replacement. It is also most commonly used if the cancer has already spread elsewhere in the body.
- Radiotherapy - this targets beams of radiation at the tumours and is commonly used in rectal cancer cases.
- Targeted medicines/immunotherapy - these can aid your natural immune system in killing cancer.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Rhianna Benson