Australia is number one for age 15-49 bowel cancer

According to the World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Australia is number one for all sexes 15-49 for bowel cancer.

The Age Standardised Rate (ASR is how many per 100,000) of 11.4 for the incidence of bowel cancer is higher than the Whole-of-Country All Ages ASR rates for Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Egypt, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Uzbekistan, South Sudan, and many others.

Further, Australian Women, All Ages are ranked number nine in the world for bowel cancer, Australian Men, All Ages are ranked 25th and Australia overall is ranked 19th.

In further concerning news, since 1982, bowel cancer rates have increased 197% for people 20-39 while all others age groups have decreased, 40-59 by 20% and 60-79 by 24%.

While most bowel cancers occur after 50, the trends for younger people is disturbing. If there is a history of bowel cancer or polyps in your immediate family (parents or grandparents), or you have lower abdomen conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Colitis or Crohn's Disease, we encourage you to discuss risks and screening options with your doctor.

We also sell home test kits that are available 1 April to 31 July each year during our #QldRotaryBowelscan Campaign. These kits are the same as the Federal Government's Bowel Cancer Screening Program kits and are available online or in your local pharmacy for $25.