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Around 2,562 people each year are diagnosed with bowel cancer in Ireland

Close up hands of caregiver doctor helping old woman at private clinic. Close up of hands of nurse holding a senior patient with walking stick. Elder woman using walking cane at nursing home with nurse holding hand for support.
Close up hands of caregiver doctor helping old woman at private clinic. Close up of hands of nurse holding a senior patient with walking stick. Elder woman using walking cane at nursing home with nurse holding hand for support.
iStock / Getty Images Plus / Ridofranz

Helen Forristal

Director of Nursing Services, Marie Keating Foundation

    Rates of colorectal cancer in under-50s have almost doubled in just 25 years, highlighting the need for those under the screening age of 60 not to dismiss symptoms. 

    In Ireland, around 2,562 people each year develop bowel cancer, also known as colon, rectal or colorectal cancer. Bowel cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death. It is the second most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women.  

    Trend of increasing bowel cancer cases 

    Worrying figures from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) show that the incidence of colorectal cancers among those under 50 is rising rapidly, having almost doubled between 1994 and 2019, with 1 in 10 diagnoses being someone aged under 50. 

    This trend is also something The Marie Keating Foundation sees within its support group, Positive Living — a support group for those living with stage 4 or metastatic cancer’s has seen a significant increase in the number of people under 50 with a late stage colorectal cancer diagnosis signing up.  

    Early Diagnosis: 

    Early diagnosis of cancer is crucial and would lead to a reduction in the number of avoidable deaths from cancer and improve overall survival rates.  Early detection leads to more positive outcomes and the likelihood of curing the cancer, therefore it is of the utmost importance we focus on this as a society. Go to your GP and get checked if you have any concerns about changes in your body.  

    Early diagnosis of cancer is crucial and would
    lead to a reduction in the number of
    avoidable deaths from cancer.

    Colorectal cancer: the facts 

    • In Ireland, around 2562 people each year develop cancer of the bowel, also known as colon, rectal or colorectal cancer 
    • Bowel cancer affects both men and women; 1,467 are men and 1,095 are women 
    • The risk increases with age; most diagnoses are in people over 55 but can occur in people under 50 years of age 
    • When caught at its earliest stage, 65% will survive for +5 years 

    Colorectal cancer: signs and symptoms 

    • Blood in, or on, the poo (stool or bowel motions); blood may be bright red or dark in colour 
    • A change in normal bowel habits such as diarrhoea or constipation for no obvious reason, lasting longer than six weeks 
    • Unexplained weight loss 
    • Pain in the abdomen or rectum (back passage) 
    • Feeling of not having emptied your bowel properly after a poo (bowel motion) 
    • Other diseases apart from bowel cancer can cause all the above symptoms. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your GP to get checked. 

    [1] Ireland, N.C.R., Cancer in Ireland 1994-2019: Annual report of the National Cancer Registry. NCRI, Cork, Ireland. National Cancer Registry Ireland (2021)
    [2] Benitez Majano, S., et al., 1558O – Worldwide comparison of colorectal cancer survival by topography and stage at diagnosis (CONCORD-2). Annals of Oncology, 2018. 29: p. viii562.
    [3] Zaborowski, A.M., et al., Characteristics of Early-Onset vs Late-Onset Colorectal Cancer: A Review. JAMA Surg, 2021. 156(9): p. 865-874.
    Siegel, R.L., et al., Cancer Statistics, 2021. CA Cancer J Clin, 2021. 71(1): p. 7-33.
    [4] O’Reilly M, Linehan A, Krstic A, Kolch W, Sheahan K, Winter DC, Mc Dermott R. Oncotherapeutic Strategies in Early Onset Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jan 16;15(2):552. doi: 10.3390/cancers15020552. PMID: 36672501; PMCID: PMC9856676.

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