There is a worrying trend of increasing bowel cancer cases among younger Australians, even as rates decline for those over 50. This shift highlights the importance of understanding risk factors and taking preventive measures.

Lifestyle Choices Play a Key Role:

●Diet: What we eat appears to be strongly connected to bowel cancer risk.

Red and Processed Meats: Consuming high amounts of red and processed meats like bacon, salami, and sausages is associated with an elevated risk.

These meats contain chemicals called nitrosamines, which have been linked to cancer development.

Experts recommend limiting red and processed meat intake to 70g or less per day, suggesting substitutes like chicken or fish.

Sugary Drinks and Refined Carbs: A diet laden with sugary beverages and highly processed carbohydrates also increases vulnerability to bowel cancer.

Fibre: Conversely, a high-fibre diet, rich in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, pulses, and whole grains, can help lower bowel cancer risk.

Simple swaps like choosing brown rice over white and opting for low-calorie popcorn instead of crisps can boost fibre intake.

●Physical Activity: Regular physical activity consistently demonstrates a protective effect against bowel cancer.

Engaging in more physical activity during morning and evening hours might be particularly beneficial, potentially reducing the risk of colorectal cancer by 11 per cent.

●Alcohol: Alcohol consumption raises the risk of several cancers, including bowel cancer.

The breakdown of alcohol in the body produces chemicals that can damage DNA, leading to potentially cancerous mutations.

The risk escalates with increased alcohol consumption.

●Weight: Being overweight or obese (BMI of 30 or higher) is a significant risk factor for bowel cancer.

Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise is crucial.

●Family History: A family history of bowel cancer, especially in close relatives diagnosed under 45, increases an individual's risk.

This heightened risk is attributed to a potential genetic predisposition.

The presence of multiple affected family members or diagnosis at a young age amplifies this risk.

Inherited Conditions: Certain rare genetic conditions like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and Lynch syndrome significantly increase the likelihood of developing bowel cancer.

Individuals with FAP are often advised to undergo preventative bowel surgery in their twenties to remove the colon and prevent cancer development.

●Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can also elevate the risk of bowel cancer if present for many years.

More research is needed to fully understand the link between processed foods and bowel cancer development.

However, existing evidence strongly suggests that adopting a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and limited alcohol consumption can significantly reduce the risk of bowel cancer.