Beating bowel cancer together

Never Too Young

Every year more than 2,600 younger people are diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK

Our Never Too Young campaign was launched in 2013 and is leading the change for younger bowel cancer patients. Since then, we’ve raised awareness amongst the public and clinical community about bowel cancer in younger people, campaigned for the identification of those at high risk of developing the disease, provided information and support to this frequently overlooked group, and influenced policy changes to improve early diagnosis, treatment and care.

But more needs to be done

Our report published in 2020 surveyed over a thousand young people living with bowel cancer. It found:

  • Half of younger people surveyed didn’t know that they could develop the disease before their diagnosis.
  • Four in ten people had to visit their GP three or more times before being referred for further tests.
  • Nearly half of those diagnosed with bowel cancer after 2017 hadn’t been offered testing for Lynch syndrome, a genetic condition that can increase the lifetime risk of bowel cancer to up to 80%.
  • One in five younger patients with bowel cancer told us they did not have access to a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Patients experienced varying levels of support at different points in their diagnosis, treatment and care.
  • 40% of people were not satisfied with the amount of support and information about fertility and family planning they received.

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