An Oxford-based specialist in bowel surgery is encouraging people of younger age groups to be aware of the danger signals associated with colon and rectal malignancies during this year’s awareness drive.

Throughout April, the focus shifts to highlighting the importance of spotting the condition early and taking preventive measures, with additional emphasis on teaching people about this illness.

This illness, also called colorectal cancer, begins in the large bowel and can affect either the colon or the rectum. Common warning signs include changes in bowel habits, blood appearing in stool, and abdominal pain.

In Britain, where this malignancy accounts for 12 percent of all new cancer diagnoses, incidence has decreased by roughly four percent during the past decade.

However, Sir Neil Mortensen, who holds the position of Professor of Colorectal Surgery at Oxford University’s Medical School and chairs Occtopus, the Oxford Colon Cancer Trust, noted that he is seeing a worrying rise in patients below 50 coming forward for treatment.

He urges anyone with symptoms not to put it off and to take them seriously.

He explained that because both the public and healthcare workers typically link this disease with elderly people, the warning signs often get missed or played down, meaning it gets diagnosed at a later, more serious stage.

When younger people or those with a family history experience ongoing symptoms, they should book a medical appointment.

Free screening using stool samples becomes accessible from age 50 and is offered every two years until 74. Those over 75 can receive a test kit by calling the screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.

The test identifies tiny amounts of hidden human blood, and when results indicate this, a colonoscopy is arranged. In most cases, only harmless growths are detected, but these are removed as they can become cancerous if left untreated.