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Hi Marianne26

Firstly I am thinking of you as you wait for your results !

Another person has picked up on similar observations and I had asked other CCs a few months ago if they had noticed a change in demographics too! Interestingly they had not at that point .

I am not sure how reliable my observations are but I honestly think when I first joined the site over ten years ago it was mainly a cancer that affected an older age group but there was one or two younger people ! Then it seemed to change quite quickly and I honestly don’t know why ! If I roll that back thirty years ago I worked for ten years in the community and had around 25 % of my case load was cancer care and never encountered anyone in the younger age group with bowel cancer ! I was shocked to see it emerge ! I have thought through various issues but I really don’t think the scientist/ doctors have found a reason yet ! 

I was chatting this through with my husband the other night and he mentioned that there should be a mechanism to reflect it back to the NHS . It is certainly an area that needs attention and I do get distressed as younger people do seem to find it harder to get diagnosed despite a lot of awareness going on !

In terms of volume Macmillan restructured the layout and made it easier for people to join in the discussion and I think that’s been a big success. Also noticed a lot of adverts on places like Instagram so maybe just widened the net so to speak . Also with other support removed during the pandemic it did leave more opportunities for online support. But even factoring all that in I have the same concerns as you and wonder what is going on and the bowel surgeons noticing it too! 

I must ask a few more questions and see if there is updated research ! 
 Take care ,

Court 

Hi Marianne26

I must say I love your name, it's the same as my lovely grandmothers :) 

I am 31 (32 next week) and diagnosed in January. My surgeon whom I met first said it was great I was referred so quickly and without hassle as it is difficult for younger people to be referred as we're not seen as at risk of bowel cancer by most GPs. 

When I had my first meeting with my oncologist after my surgery and recovery he did actually say that they have seen a rise in younger people being diagnosed with bowel cancer. 

I didn't ask any questions then as all the different chemo-options where spinning in my head at the same time but it is something I have been thinking about since then as well. I might see if he's got time to answer some questions regarding it tomorrow when I'm in for chemo #4. 

Have a lovely Tuesday x

Em xx

Hi Em

I wonder did he give you any answers/ observations?

Anyway...wishing you the very best in your recovery xx

Hi Marianne, 

of course he was off today and I couldn't ask him.

typical but nothing to do but wait and ask next time guess :) 

thank you xx