PIF member Bowel Cancer UK has published its Never Too Young report exploring the experiences of younger people with bowel cancer.
Bowel Cancer UK launched its Never Too Young campaign in 2013.
Since then it has raised awareness among the public and clinical community about bowel cancer in younger people, provided support and influenced policy changes.
However, its new report, which surveyed more than 1,000 young people living with bowel cancer, shows more needs to be done. It found:
- Half of younger people surveyed did not know they could develop the disease before diagnosis
- Four in ten had to visit their GP three or more times before being referred for further tests
- One in five did not have access to a clinical nurse specialist
- Four in ten were not satisfied with the amount of support and information they received around fertility and family planning
The report sets out a series of recommendations, and how they could be achieved, to improve the experiences of young people with bowel cancer. They include:
- People and GPs should be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer and that it can affect people under 50
- Young people going to the GP with symptoms of bowel cancer should be referred for further tests without unnecessary delays
- Younger patients with bowel cancer should have treatment, care and support tailored to their needs
- All younger bowel cancer patients should be tested for Lynch syndrome as soon as they are diagnosed
The report calls on public health bodies to develop awareness campaigns targeted at younger people with outline bowel cancer symptoms and risk.
Click on the link below to read the report in full.