Facing early-onset bowel cancer head-on: reflections from Barcelona

Dr Lisa Wilde, Director of Research, Policy and Influencing, shares her reflections from the GEOCRCTT conference in Barcelona. 

In late June, I had the privilege of representing the charity at the Global Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Think Tank (GEOCRCTT) in Barcelona; a unique meeting of researchers, clinicians, advocates and people affected by this disease from around the world. 

For two days, we came together to focus on one of the most worrying trends in bowel cancer today: the rise in cases among people under 50. While, overall, bowel cancer rates are slowly falling, the number of younger people being diagnosed has been going up since the 1990s and this is happening in practically every corner of the world. 

A global problem needs a global response 

The think tank was brilliantly hosted and driven by our fantastic partners at Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), who brought together participants from more than 25 countries. Despite the differences in healthcare systems, challenges and perspectives in the room, the determination to find answers and make progress was shared by everyone. 

We heard about common risk factors across continents, such as diet and physical activity, as well as emerging, region-specific risks. It reminded me just how much we stand to gain from learning with (and from) each other. Different countries may face different barriers, but many of the underlying issues are the same. And by pooling our expertise, we’re much more likely to find solutions that work. 

And the need is urgent. By 2040, colorectal cancer is expected to claim 1.6 million lives each year globally. That staggering figure underscores why this work matters and why collaboration at this scale is so vital. 

Working together for solutions 

I was delighted to facilitate a session on global biobanking with Associate Professor Dan Buchanan for the University of Melbourne. We had a fantastic discussion about how we can work more collaboratively across borders to share patient data and tissue samples, streamline research and answer some of the big questions around early-onset bowel cancer. 

Our CEO, Genevieve Edwards, spoke passionately about how important the issue of bowel cancer in younger people is to the charity. And it was a real privilege to be surrounded by so many brilliant UK researchers. Their insight, leadership and generosity in sharing their knowledge made me incredibly proud of the community we’re part of.

Putting patients first 

There were many powerful moments during the think tank, but one that really stayed with me was hearing from Mila Ogalla Toledo, a young patient advocate from Spain. 

Mila spoke openly and honestly about being diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer during the pandemic at the age of 26. Her courage, clarity and drive to make a difference are inspiring and a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a real person whose life has been turned upside down.  

Coordinated action: building the next phase of global collaboration 

As well as great conversations, the think tank marked the start of something more structured: coordinated action. Five international workgroups have now been established to take forward key areas of focus: 

• Scientific research – understanding what causes bowel cancer in younger people 

• Health research tools – creating consistent ways to collect and study health data on younger patients 

• Biobanking – setting best practice for tissue and blood sample collection 

• Fundraising – finding sustainable ways to support the work 

• Risk stratification – improving how we identify those most at risk and raise awareness accordingly 

Each group will continue to meet and push things forward over the next two years, with a clear plan and a research publication to come. This wasn’t just a one-off meeting but the beginning of something much bigger. 

What happens next 

So often, we leave conferences full of good ideas and good intentions, only for the day-to-day to pull back our focus. But there was a real sense in Barcelona that people are committed to seeing this through and to making change happen, and to holding ourselves (and each other) accountable. 

Over the next two years, we’ll be working together to deliver on what we started, from improving data sharing and biobanking, to shaping policy so that younger people are diagnosed sooner. This global partnership is about turning insight into impact. 

Join us in making change happen 

Tackling early-onset bowel cancer needs all of us. If you’re affected by bowel cancer under 50, your voice and experience are vital. Please stay connected with us as we share updates and opportunities to get involved.

• Find out more about our work on early-onset bowel cancer
• Learn how you can use your voice to make a difference
• Read the real life stories from younger people with bowel cancer in our community  

Pictured above: Mila Ogalla Toledo, a young patient advocate from Spain.