Story ideas

Young people with bowel cancer

Almost 2000 people under the age of 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK.  

In 2007, 160 people under 30 were diagnosed with bowel cancer each year, the equivalent of a full Boeing 737 aeroplane. The numbers may seem small but cases of bowel cancer in the under-30s have increased by 120% over the last decade.

Life beyond bowel cancer

There are around 250,000 people living with bowel cancer in the UK. We have a wide range of patient case studies and experts who can comment on:

• The positive effect of beating bowel cancer - living life to the full with a permanent stoma, the empowering experience of beating cancer.
• Stories about the adverse effects survivors' experience – the emotional, psychological, sexual and physical impact of beating bowel cancer.

Bowel cancer screening

Available across the UK (to those aged 60-75 in England, 60-69 in Wales and Northern Ireland, 50-74 in Scotland) but participation rates are lower than other national cancer screening programmes.

Explore the importance of screening, what the test involves, and speak to bowel cancer survivors who were diagnosed early through the screening programme. 

Misdiagnosis

We hear from a number of patients who experience delays in their diagnosis. This can be because they are considered 'too young' to have bowel cancer, or because of wide variations in symptoms – some patients experience no symptoms at all.

Reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer

Lifestyle and diet changes that may help you to stay healthy.

Common misconceptions about bowel cancer

Dispel common myths about bowel cancer:

• Bowel cancer is a man's disease – bowel cancer affects men and women almost equally
• It only affects old people – the number of bowel cancer cases in younger people is increasing
• It's a rare cancer – bowel cancer is the UK's second biggest cancer killer
• Vegetarians don't get bowel cancer – anyone can get bowel cancer. We have a number of vegetarian patient case studies

We have compelling stories of bowel cancer patients of all ages and a range of experts who are able to comment on the issues facing bowel cancer patients. For more information please contact Kate Philipson in the press office on 020 8973 0008.