Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Rates in Younger People are on the Increase Worldwide
VIENNA, Austria, September 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
EuropaColon launches 'Young Voices United against Colorectal Cancer' at the 9th ESMO Patient Seminar. Vienna, Austria; 29th-30th September 2012
The global burden of colorectal cancer (CRC) continues to increase largely because of the ageing and growth of the world population alongside an increasing adoption of cancer-causing behaviours, particularly smoking, in economically developing countries. CRC is rare in developing countries, but is the second most frequent malignancy in affluent societies. In Europe, each year, more than 450,000 people are diagnosed with CRC and about 230,000 will die of the disease.
Unfortunately, it is not just the over 50's who are at risk of developing CRC. In contrast to the overall declining rates of this disease, incidence and mortality rates among young adults under the age of 50 years are on the increase.[1],[2]
Communication of all aspects of CRC such as individual risk factors, diagnosis and treatment options and the need for prevention and early diagnosis already has its problems with the older generations, however getting this message out to young adults is even more of a challenge. In addition, making young people aware of hereditary risk factors poses an even greater dilemma.
EuropaColon, a pan-European CRC organisation aims to provide an online forum for young people affected by CRC through its new initiative - Young Voices United against Colorectal Cancer. The aim is to provide a platform for young people to share and exchange information which we believe will help empower and support those affected by the disease.
EuropaColon's Survivorship Ambassador Milan Djordjevic of Serbia was diagnosed at the age of just 24 years old. Milan says:
"More than 10 years ago I was diagnosed with CRC and I am now a survivor. At that time, I had great support from my family and friends, however I did not have anyone to talk to who was going through the same experience as me. I would like for Young Voices United against Colorectal Cancer to become Europe's largest support community for young adults affected by the disease. Young Voices United aims to provide a unique opportunity through this forum by offering programmes and tools which directly address the specific needs of this group of people."
Jola Gore-Booth, CEO and Founder of EuropaColon, commented "EuropaColon's new initiative Young Voices United against Colorectal Cancer is aimed to support the growing number of younger people affected by CRC. We have heard from numerous young people dealing with the issues surrounding this disease and who like Milan want to talk to other young people who are going through similar experiences". Mrs Gore-Booth added "I hope all these young people will unite together to form a strong army of ambassadors and spread the word about the need of knowing your risks of developing the disease... the need to have a healthier diet and lifestyle, and to be aware of the symptoms of the disease."
Professor Dr. Gabriela Möslein, Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Coloproctology, Helios St. Josefs Hospital, Bochum and Past Chairperson of InSiGHT (International Society for Hereditary Colorectal Cancer) says...
"CRC is on the increase and mainly affects those people 65 years old and above. However, some 5-8% of patients will present at a much younger age and as such have a very different experience due to their youth and quite different perspective on life. As Milan points out: "You think that you are the only person in the world unlucky enough to be diagnosed with a cancer that you believe only affects the elderly. I have worked in this field for many years and this perception could not be further from the reality. However the lack of awareness and understanding that this is a disease now affecting an increasing number of younger people - both by professionals and by patients - can lead to diagnosis being made at a much later stage."
"Identifying hereditary predispositions which can cause colorectal cancer at a much younger age is crucial to early diagnosis in the young. In addition making use of molecular diagnosis for individual risk assessment is an essential landmark for cancer prevention."
"I firmly believe Young Voices United against Colorectal Cancer will provide a platform for young people to help them find comfort, hope and support in the broadest sense and last but not least have access to a network of professionals available to guide them through their own and their families' individual risk assessment."
Details of the Young Voices United against Colorectal Cancer may be found at: http://www.yvu.europacolon.com
1.Science Daily, 2009. Colorectal Cancer Increasing In Young Adults. [online] Available at: ww.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090608072018.htm [Accessed 29 May 2012].
2. Globocan, 2010. Globocan 2008. Prediction. [online] Available at: http://globocan.iarc.fr/ [Accessed 29 May 2012].
For further information or interviews with Milan Djordjevic, Jola Gore Booth or Professor Möslein, please contact Julia Kennedy: +44(0)776-608-4256
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