Bowel Cancer: The importance of early detection and regular screening

Understanding Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum. In most cases, it begins as a small growth called a polyp.

Polyps are common and are usually non-cancerous (benign). But over time, some polyps can undergo genetic changes that cause them to become cancerous. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight; it can take years, creating a vital window of opportunity for early detection of bowel cancer.

How common is bowel cancer?

• Around 44,000 new cases of bowel cancer are diagnosed in the UK each year, according to NHS cancer registration data (NHS Digital, 2022).
• It is the second biggest cause of cancer death in the UK, accounting for around 48 deaths every day (Cancer Research UK).
• 94% of cases occur in people aged over 50, but rates of early-onset bowel cancer (under 50) are rising.

While incidence remains higher overall in men, recent data suggests that early-onset rates are rising faster in women.

Why outcomes depend on timing

Bowel cancer has historically been diagnosed at a later stage, often after symptoms become persistent or severe. At this point, the cancer may have spread (metastasised), making treatment more complex.

But when detected early, bowel cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. According to Cancer Research UK, more than 90% of people survive for five years or more when bowel cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage. At later stages, survival rates drop significantly.

This is why awareness of symptoms and access to colorectal cancer screening are so important.

Bowel cancer in younger adults: what we know, and what we don’t

One of the most talked-about shifts in recent years is the rise in bowel cancer among younger adults. Research published in The Lancet Oncology shows early-onset colorectal cancer incidence rising by around 3% per year globally, with similar trends observed in the UK (Sung et al., 2024). This doesn’t mean bowel cancer is now common in young people. It remains far more prevalent in older adults. But the direction of travel is clear, and along with some really high profile recent bowel cancer cases, it has prompted growing clinical and public health attention.

So what’s behind it?

At present, there isn’t one single explanation.

Researchers are exploring several contributing factors, including:

• Rising obesity rates
• Diets higher in ultra-processed foods and lower in fibre
• Sedentary lifestyles
• Changes in the gut microbiome
• Earlier and prolonged exposure to environmental risk factors

However, none of these fully explain the trend. Many younger patients diagnosed with bowel cancer do not fit traditional risk profiles. Genetics accounts for only around 5–10% of cases overall.

This uncertainty is part of why awareness matters.

When conditions shift epidemiologically - especially in ways we don’t fully understand - early detection becomes even more important. The NHS screening programme has already started lowering the eligible age in response to rising risk patterns, but we encourage testing in anyone above the age of 40, which is earlier than the current NHS programme, which is constrained by budget and operational capacity.

Signs of bowel cancer

Common symptoms include:

• Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your poo
• Persistent changes in bowel habits lasting more than three weeks (e.g. looser stools, constipation, needing to go more often)
• Ongoing abdominal pain or bloating
• Unexplained weight loss
• Extreme tiredness without a clear cause

Many of these symptoms can have other causes, but recognising changes and acting early can make all the difference. Testing is simple, and knowing the risks as well as any family history which might encourage early testing is important. 

Risk factors

Age is the biggest risk factor for bowel cancer. However, other factors can increase risk, including:

• Family history (around 5–10% of cases are linked to inherited genetic factors)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Diets high in processed meat and low in fibre
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity and type 2 diabetes
• High alcohol consumption

While genetics can’t be changed, many lifestyle-related risk factors can be managed, and the health recommendations that reduce your risk of bowel cancer also all reduce your risk of other cancers and chronic illness.

The Power of Prevention

One of the most important things to understand about bowel cancer prevention is that it’s often possible to stop cancer before it develops.

Certain types of polyps, known as adenomas, can become pre-cancerous. The transformation from polyp to cancer can take up to 10 years (Nguyen et al., 2019). This long development period creates a critical opportunity for bowel cancer screening to identify and remove polyps early.

How screening works

In the UK, screening typically begins with a Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT test). This simple, at-home test checks a small stool sample for tiny traces of blood - often one of the earliest signs of bowel abnormalities. It’s done by taking a small stool sample and sending it off to a lab for analysis. 

If blood is detected, further tests may be recommended. These can include:

• Colonoscopy (examination of the entire large bowel)
• Sigmoidoscopy (examination of the lower bowel)
• Blood tests
• CT scans

During a colonoscopy, doctors can remove polyps in a procedure called a polypectomy. This isn’t just diagnostic, it removes the risky polyps at the time of the procedure. Research shows that removal of pre-cancerous polyps during colonoscopy can reduce bowel cancer incidence by up to 67% (Shaukat et al., 2021).

According to the UK National Screening Committee, regular screening reduces the risk of dying from bowel cancer. And crucially, when diagnosed early, survival rates exceed 90% at five years (Cancer Research UK).

Early detection of bowel cancer doesn’t just improve outcomes. It can reduce the intensity of treatment required and shorten recovery time, which matters deeply for individuals, families, and workplaces alike.

Barriers to Screening and How to Overcome Them

Despite the evidence, screening uptake remains a challenge. Around one third of eligible people in the UK do not complete bowel cancer screening (Cancer Research UK).

Why?

• Embarrassment, and the general ‘ick’ factor of the test itself (though we’ve done our best to make it as easy and simple as possible!). 
• Fear of results
• Misunderstanding about what the test involves
• Lack of time 
• “I feel fine, so I don’t need it” thinking

The reality is that early-stage bowel cancer often causes no symptoms at all. Screening isn’t about reacting to illness, it’s about preventing it.

Making screening easier

Modern bowel cancer screening is designed to be:

• Non-invasive
• Quick
• Done at home
• Discreet and private

The FIT test requires only a small sample and takes minutes to complete. Normalising conversations about bowel health is also key. When organisations openly discuss bowel cancer awareness, share credible information, and provide clear access to workplace health screening, participation increases. 

Prevention in Practice: What Employers Can Do

On average, people spend around a third of their lives at work. The workplace is one of the most powerful environments for shaping health behaviours.

Cancer-related absence currently costs UK businesses an estimated £1.6 billion annually, and over a third of people diagnosed with cancer do not return to work. Among those who do, many report feeling unsupported, yet most employees diagnosed with cancer want to continue working where possible. 

Why workplace health screening matters

When organisations prioritise preventative healthcare, they:

• Increase early detection rates
• Reduce long-term treatment costs
• Support employee retention
• Strengthen trust and engagement
• Build a culture of health literacy and awareness

Employees who feel supported to attend screening are more likely to do so. Earlier diagnosis often means less aggressive treatment and a greater likelihood of returning to work sooner. Beyond the financial case, there is a human one.

Creating a culture where screening is normalised - not awkward - signals that health matters and people matter. 

Taking the Next Step

Bowel cancer screening is one of the most powerful tools we have in preventative healthcare. 

For individuals, it’s a simple action that could protect your future health.

For organisations, it’s an opportunity to lead, embedding early detection into a wider health and wellbeing strategy.

And finally, if you’re responsible for health or wellbeing: 

Qured’s preventative health platform helps organisations make screening accessible and stigma-free, empowering employees to take proactive steps towards understanding their health. Think about adding bowel cancer this year to your strategy, in honour of World Cancer Day, Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, or at any time just because it’s a powerful, valuable benefit.