Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, can affect any part of the colon or rectum; it may also be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer is located.
Bowel cancer screening is for people who do not already have bowel cancer, symptoms of bowel cancer, or any reason to have a high risk of bowel cancer.
Patient-centred care is healthcare that is respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of patients and consumers.
Bowel Cancer Australia provides essential support services uniquely designed for bowel cancer patients via our confidential Helpline with specialist telehealth support, as well as a national Peer-to-Peer Support Network and Buddy Program.
Bowel Cancer Australia funds research that has the potential to improve survival and/or help build a path toward a cure and integrates published research into our awareness, advocacy, and support strategies.
Bowel Cancer Australia relies upon donations and the support of hard working and enthusiastic fundraisers across the country to continue our life saving work. We raise funds to continue our life-saving work and inspire others to do the same, so everyone affected by bowel cancer can live their best life.
In 2025, Bowel Cancer Australia joined 71 experts and advocates from 18 countries at the first-ever Global Think Tank on Early-Onset Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer (EOCRC), hosted in Barcelona.
Together, this unprecedented gathering explored why bowel cancer rates are rising among younger people and outlined the urgent steps needed to address this alarming trend.
The official 2025 Summary Report captures the outcomes of this historic event, providing fresh insights into the causes, risks, and priorities for action over the next two years.
The 2025 Summary Report highlights the most pressing concerns and commitments identified at the Global Think Tank, including:
To address these, five global workgroups were established, focusing on research, data, biobanking, advocacy, and awareness to drive progress over the next two years.
Their findings confirm early-onset bowel cancer is a true global health crisis requiring urgent and united action.
✅ Global early-onset bowel cancer data and patient insights ✅ Survey findings from 21 countries ✅ Top risk factors and research priorities ✅ Action plans from five global workgroups ✅ A call for collaboration and shared innovation
Experts identified several risk factors requiring urgent research, from lifestyle exposures to biological and genetic drivers. Including:
The report also calls for unified research, improved data collection, and global awareness campaigns to accelerate outcomes for younger patients.
By pushing beyond what we already know, researchers aim to uncover why this disease is striking earlier and how best to prevent and treat it.
The Global Early-Onset Colorectal (Bowel) Cancer Think Tank marked the beginning of a powerful global effort to understand and address early-onset bowel cancer.
But progress depends on collaboration across borders, disciplines, and communities.
By downloading the report, you’ll gain access to the latest global data, patient insights, and the roadmap for the next phase of research advocacy.