Researchers from the University of Milan in Italy have projected a rise in bowel cancer deaths among younger people across Europe and the United Kingdom for 2024. The study highlights obesity, diabetes and alcohol consumption as the major risk factors fueling this increase. These findings were reported in the Annals of Oncology.
For the age group 25 to 49 in the United Kingdom, mortality from colorectal cancer is expected to climb by about 26 percent in men and roughly 39 percent in women when compared with 2018, according to the researchers. In contrast, the trends in Italy show only small rises in mortality for men and women, with increases around 1.5 percent and 2.6 percent respectively. Men in Spain and Poland are forecast to see higher mortality rates of about 5.5 percent and 5.9 percent, while German women may experience an uptick near 7.2 percent. These variations reflect country specific factors and health patterns that influence cancer outcomes across Europe.
The rise in young adult bowel cancer cases is linked to several modifiable risk factors. Excess body weight, obesity and related conditions such as high blood sugar and diabetes contribute to a greater likelihood of developing the disease. Additional contributors identified by the scientists include higher alcohol intake and reduced physical activity, which together create an environment that increases cancer risk in younger populations.
When looking at broader trends, the researchers calculated that the total number of cancer deaths across Europe and the United Kingdom from 2018 to 2024 is projected to be lower for men by about 6.5 percent and for women by about 4.3 percent compared with earlier years, reflecting shifting patterns in cancer incidence and advances in treatment that influence overall mortality.
In related work, prior evidence has pointed to strategies that improve survival rates for cancers of the esophagus, underscoring the potential impact of early detection, treatment improvements and lifestyle interventions on patient outcomes across different cancer types.