Why are bowel cancer death rates increasing in the UK?

Bowel cancer death rates are increasing in the UK primarily due to lifestyle factors like overweight, obesity, and diabetes, particularly among those under 50.

Is bowel cancer more common in younger women?

Yes, studies indicate that death rates from bowel cancer are projected to increase, with a notable rise observed among women under 50.

What is the survival rate for bowel cancer in the UK?

While survival rates for most cancers have improved, bowel cancer is the only type in the UK for which death rates are not declining as expected.

Home / Health / UK Cancer Deaths Fall, Except for Bowel Cancer

UK Cancer Deaths Fall, Except for Bowel Cancer

19 Jan

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Summary

Bowel cancer is the only cancer with increasing death rates in the UK.
Younger women are particularly affected by rising bowel cancer mortality.
Lifestyle factors like obesity may drive the increase in bowel cancer deaths.

UK Cancer Deaths Fall, Except for Bowel Cancer

In the UK, death rates from nearly all major cancers are falling, with an 11.25% decrease projected for men and 7.26% for women overall. However, bowel cancer (colorectal cancer) is bucking this positive trend, with age-standardised death rates expected to increase this year. This rise is particularly noted among individuals younger than 50, with lifestyle factors such as overweight, obesity, and diabetes being identified as likely contributing causes.

While treatments have generally improved survival rates across many cancer types, bowel cancer is the sole exception to this progress. The findings, published in the Annals of Oncology, indicate a projected increase of 3.65% in death rates for women, contrasting with a predicted 3.6% fall for men. This divergence highlights a growing concern for specific demographics within the population.

Across the European Union, similar trends are observed, with most cancer death rates declining, except for pancreatic cancer in women. Since a peak in 1988, millions of cancer deaths have been avoided in the EU and UK, largely due to ongoing public health efforts like smoking control, which remains crucial for preventing cancer mortality.