While bowel cancer more commonly occurs in older people, rates of the deadly disease in people aged under 50 years have gone up.

A study in medical journal The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology found that in Australia, between 2004 and 2014, the proportion of people aged under 50 diagnosed with colon cancer increased by 2.9% per year. The proportion of under-50s diagnosed with rectal cancer in the same period increased by 2.6% per year.

Another study published in the ANZ Journal of Surgery, found increasing rates of bowel cancer in people under the age of 50 after reviewing 557 people who received a colonoscopy between 2013 and 2017.

Now in Australia, if you’re aged between 45 and 49 years, you can join Australians aged between 50 and 74 years to receive a free bowel cancer test kit from the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP).

Bowel cancer screening

Routine bowel cancer screening (aka the poo test) involves an immunochemical faecal occult blood test (iFOBT). To have the test, you collect samples of your stool (poo) to be analysed for tiny amounts of blood, which can be a sign of bowel cancer.

If you are aged between 45 to 74 years, the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program will send you a screening test every 2 years, if you have a Medicare card and are one of the following:

• an Australian citizen
• a permanent migrant
• registered as a Department of Veteran Affairs customer

If you are eligible and aged between 45 to 49 years, you can request your first bowel cancer screening kit to be mailed to you.

If you are eligible and aged between 50 to 74 years, you will continue to receive a bowel cancer screening kit in the mail every 2 years.

If you are younger than 45 years or older than 74 years, speak with your doctor about bowel cancer screening.

Bowel cancer signs and symptoms

Bowel cancer, also called colon or colorectal cancer, can develop without any obvious symptoms. However — and no matter what age you are — there are warning signs to look out for, including:

• bleeding from the rectum or any sign of blood after going to the toilet
• a recent and persistent change in your bowel habits (for example, if you experience looser bowel motions, severe constipation or if you need to go to the toilet more often than usual)
• unexplained tiredness (a symptom of anaemia)
• unexplained weight loss
• abdominal pain

If you experience any of these symptoms, it does not necessarily mean you have bowel cancer, but you should still see your doctor.

For more information

• Read about the risk factors for bowel cancer, such as a family history of the disease, inflammatory bowel diseases or polyps.
• You can call 1800 118 868 to find out more about the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program.
• Visit Bowel Cancer Australia to find out how you can help beat Australia's ‘second-deadliest cancer’.

This post was originally published on 17 June 2019 and has been updated to include the most recent details on this topic.