Bowel cancer deaths in young people are increasing, while deaths from other cancers fall

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-08-18 01:00

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Bowel cancer deaths in Canadians under 50 have increased over the last 25 years, while deaths from other cancers have fallen, which researchers say suggests a generational change in the drivers of bowel cancer, such as higher rates of obesity or increased exposure to unhealthy lifestyles and toxins. The study mirrors the findings of a similar study from the US. The researchers say that bowel cancer deaths are projected to exceed breast cancer and become the most common cause of death from cancer among younger populations in the coming years.