Katy Lander's cancer diagnosis

Katy Lander, 32, was diagnosed with bowel cancer after experiencing severe stomach pain, bloating, and blood in stool.

“I had a bad feeling about it”

Rising bowel cancer rates in young adults

Bowel cancer rates for 25- to 49-year-olds in the UK have risen by over 50% since the 1990s, with England having the fastest increase in Europe.

PROSPECT-UK study launched

Researchers at King's College London launched the PROSPECT-UK study to recruit 250,000 people aged 18 to 50 for analysis of diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

Metabolic health concerns

Excess body fat and type 2 diabetes may cause inflammation and insulin resistance, increasing bowel cancer risk in younger adults.

Ultra-processed foods linked to risk

Ultra-processed foods account for 60% of calories eaten in Britain, with two-thirds of teenage calories coming from such foods.

Antibiotics and bowel cancer risk

Antibiotic use among children under five rose from 36.8% in 2005 to 43.1% in 2017, linked to a 49% higher bowel cancer risk in under-50s.

Colibactin bacteria and cancer

Certain E. coli bacteria strains produce colibactin, which can damage bowel cells decades before cancer develops, with DNA damage 3.3 times more common in patients under 40.

Gut bacteria disruption

Antibiotics disrupt gut bacteria, allowing harmful bacteria to multiply and cause inflammation that damages bowel lining.

Fiber and bowel health

Low fiber intake reduces protective butyrate production, increasing bowel cancer risk, with studies showing fiber improves gut health.

Katy's dietary changes

Katy increased her daily fiber intake to 30g by eating more nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables after her cancer diagnosis.

Pesticides and bowel cancer

Picloram, a weedkiller, is linked to bowel cancer in younger patients through DNA changes, with higher rates in areas using more picloram.

PFAS chemicals and cancer

PFAS chemicals used in non-stick cookware and waterproof clothing make bowel cancer cells more mobile, increasing spread risk.

Microplastics in bowel tumors

Microplastics found in bowel tumors may irritate the bowel lining, cause inflammation, or disrupt gut bacteria.

Metabolic health as priority

Professor Andrew Chan prioritizes metabolic health as the top area to address for reducing bowel cancer risk in younger adults.

What happens next

Researchers continue investigating the causes of rising bowel cancer in young people to develop prevention strategies.