A recent comprehensive study on European cancer rates has revealed an alarming rise in colorectal cancer among the younger population. This trend marks the first time an upswing in mortality rates for this age group has been projected within the EU, with obesity and high alcohol intake identified as primary contributors.
The study highlights stark variances across different European nations. For instance, by 2024, the UK is expected to see nearly a 40% rise in colorectal cancer mortality rates among women aged 25 to 49 and a 26% increase among men of the same age group. Conversely, Italy shows a modest rise of 2.6% among women and 1.5% among men. Spain and Poland are anticipated to experience a 5.5 to 6% rise in young men, whereas German women face a 7% higher risk compared to five years earlier.
Professor Carlo La Vecchia from the University of Milan points to obesity, lack of exercise, and high blood sugar as significant factors driving this increase, alongside a surge in excessive alcohol consumption, particularly in central and northern Europe. He notes that colorectal cancer tends to be more aggressive and has lower survival rates in younger individuals compared to older ones.
In response to these findings, La Vecchia suggests that early screening for colorectal cancer should begin at 45, a measure already recommended in the U.S. due to a similar uptrend. This advice comes amid broader analysis of cancer mortality across 27 EU nations, revealing a general decline in cancer deaths, except for the worrying rise in colorectal cancer among the young.
Despite a general reduction in cancer mortality rates—6.5% for men and 4% for women from 2018 to 2024—colorectal cancer presents a growing concern, especially as it becomes a leading cause of cancer death in nonsmokers, second only to lung cancer in men and third in women. The study underscores the importance of quitting smoking and controlling alcohol consumption to mitigate cancer risks.
La Vecchia emphasizes the need to bridge the healthcare disparity across Europe, particularly in screening and access to modern treatments, to improve outcomes in regions like Central and Eastern Europe. The findings call for enhanced governmental efforts in promoting healthy lifestyles and improving early cancer detection to combat this rising trend in colorectal cancer among the young.
