Scientists warn of 'global phenomenon' cancer that is rising among certain age groups

Bowel cancer cases in people under 50 are increasing across the world - and faster in England than most other countries, new research reveals.

The study found bowel cancer rates in people aged between 25 and 49 rose in 27 of the 50 countries analysed between 2007 and 2017, the most recent year for which figures were studied. The greatest annual increases were observed in New Zealand (4%), Chile (4%), Puerto Rico (3.8%), and England (3.6%).

Women were found to have faster increases in early-onset bowel cancer rates than men if they lived in England, Scotland, Australia, Norway, Turkey or Costa Rica.

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Experts are still trying to understand the reasons behind the global rise, which is affecting countries from Europe and North America to Asia and Oceania. The authors of the study, published in the Lancet Oncology, said junk food consumption, high levels of physical inactivity and the obesity epidemic were likely to be among the causes.

Lead author of the study Hyuna Sung, a senior principal scientist in cancer surveillance research at the American Cancer Society, said: “The increase in early-onset colorectal cancer is a global phenomenon. Previous studies have shown this rise in predominately high-income western countries, but now it is documented in various economies and regions worldwide.”

The trend of bowel cancer rate increases among young adults is so significant it could lead to higher incidence in older people, who have seen stable or falling rates. This would mean decades of progress made against the disease being potentially reversed.

“The global scope of this concerning trend highlights the need for innovative