Who's most at risk from bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is one of the UK's most common cancers, with around 37,000 people diagnosed each year. General symptoms of the disease may include blood in your faeces, sudden weight loss or loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen and changes to your bowel habits over a long period of time. However, it's important to remember that these symptoms may also be caused by other diseases so, while you should make sure to visit your doctor straight away if they arise, there may be less cause for concern if you do not fall into an at-risk group. But who exactly is most at risk from bowel cancer?



Official statistics show that 80 per cent of people who are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK are over the age of 60. But age isn't the only cause of this disease. For example, if members of your family have been diagnosed with bowel cancer in the past, you may be at a higher risk of contracting it. Moreover, an existing bowel disease, like Crohn's disease, could also place you at a greater risk, as could an inherited bowel condition like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).

However, diet and lifestyle also plays a large part in who's most at risk from bowel cancer. If you have an inactive lifestyle (if you rarely exercise) or you suffer from obesity, bowel cancer is a greater possibility and healthier people have been shown to be less at risk from the disease. The chance of contracting bowel cancer may also be increased if your diet is heavy in red and processed meats and low in fibre-rich foods and vegetables.



So it's important to remember that, even if you're under the age of 60, there are still many hereditary, medical and lifestyle factors that could place you at risk of bowel cancer. If you suspect you may be showing some of the symptoms of bowel cancer, immediately arrange an appointment with your doctor, who may decide to organise a screening test. This may involve a colonoscopy, in which a narrow, flexible telescopic camera is inserted into the large bowel, a barium enema or a sigmoidoscopy, in which the rectum and bowel is examined.



If your screening shows that you do not have bowel cancer, you may still be advised to undergo regular screenings if you fall into an at-risk group. Currently, the Department of Health in England recommends that all men and women between the ages of 60 and 69 undergo a bowel cancer screening every two years.