Bowel Cancer Australia Develops Guidelines for Rising Early-Onset Cases in Young Adults

An increasing number of people in their 20s and 30s in Australia are being diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer, Abc reported. Bowel Cancer Australia is developing the world's first clinical guidelines for the condition. Georgie Cauchi experienced symptoms including difficulty getting out of bed, constant pain, and blood in her stool while in her 20s.

Doctors repeatedly dismissed those symptoms as haemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome over several years and told her she was too young to worry. She received a diagnosis at age 30, when a tumor had grown large enough to block her entire bowel. Treatment included multiple surgeries, a battle with sepsis, and six months of chemotherapy.

Bryce Wilson, a Wiradjuri man, underwent a colonoscopy at age 28 after symptoms were initially attributed to stress from his job as a criminal lawyer for the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in Darwin. By then the cancer had spread to his liver. He was tested for everything except bowel cancer over several months.

Despite 14 rounds of chemotherapy and surgeries, the cancer has spread to his lungs and pelvic area. He had a significant part of his colon removed and now has a colostomy with a stoma. Wilson has continued working in court every day during full-time treatment for the past year.

Medical oncologist Prasad Cooray stated that early-onset bowel cancer is recognized internationally as a new disease. He said patients are typically fit, young, healthy people who eat well, exercise regularly, and are not overweight.