Bowel Cancer deaths to rise, while risk falls

Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has found that there will be a 60% increase in deaths from colon cancer, and a 70% increase in deaths from rectal cancer, from 2013 to 2035 across 42 countries.

Professor Mark Jenkins, of the University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research and Director of the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, was an author on the international paper.

Collectively known as ‘bowel cancer’, these statistics on colon and rectal cancer at first appear shocking, however Professor Jenkins said that actual risk of death due to bowel cancer is set to decrease due to improved treatments and early detection.

“We are fortunate, as Australians, to have a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program which sends in the mail, free screening tests for bowel cancer, to all those aged 50-74 years.

“These screening tests are designed to detect bowel cancer early. They are free, safe, clean and effective, and you do the test at home.”

Listen to Professor Jenkins’s interview with ABC RN.