Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the second deadliest in Australia, with around 14,900 people diagnosed each year and approximately 1 in 16 Australians expected to develop the disease in their lifetime. While bowel cancer risk increases with age, rates among younger adults worldwide have skyrocketed by 266% since the 1980s, with today around 1 in 10 cases occurring in people under 50—making it the leading cause of cancer death among young Australian adults aged 25–54
To help address this healthcare crisis, Doctors For Nutrition have developed TWO new courses:
Preventing Bowel Cancer in Clinical Practice is an on-demand, RACGP and ACRRM–approved activity designed for GPs and primary care clinicians who want to understand the evidence behind bowel cancer prevention and learn practical strategies to improve health literacy, support behaviour change, and communicate effectively in everyday clinical practice.
Preventing Bowel Cancer is for everyday Australians, designed to help them understand how everyday lifestyle decisions can influence your risk of bowel cancer. Developed by healthcare professionals, the course provides everyone with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to create consistent habits that support lifelong health and wellbeing.
The Rising Tide: Why Early-Onset Bowel Cancer Is Climbing
The statistics are stark. Around the world, bowel cancer in younger adults has risen by approximately 266% since the 1980s, a trend that has alarmed oncologists and public health experts alike. In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience 1.1 times higher incidence and 1.4 times higher mortality compared to non-Indigenous Australians, highlighting critical health inequities that demand targeted action.
While screening and early detection remain vital—99% of cases are successfully treated when detected at the earliest stage—emerging research underscores the powerful protective effects of whole food plant-based nutrition and other lifestyle factors in reducing bowel cancer risk. Yet many health professionals report limited training and low confidence in providing structured nutrition and lifestyle counselling for bowel cancer risk reduction.
"A bowel cancer diagnosis affects thousands of Australian families every year, but many cases can be prevented, and outcomes are dramatically improved through early detection. Nutrition and other lifestyle factors play an important role in reducing bowel cancer risk, while screening can save lives—99% of cases are successfully treated when detected at the earliest stage. This course equips doctors and other healthcare professionals with the latest evidence in nutrition and lifestyle medicine, enabling them to confidently support patients with practical strategies for prevention, early detection, and better long-term health."
Rebecca Stonor, CEO of Doctors For Nutrition.
Developed by Australian doctors and health experts, Preventing Bowel Cancer in Clinical Practice is a fully-referenced, fact-based and accessible on-demand program.
A Call for Preventive Action
With bowel cancer rates rising in younger adults and the health system under increasing strain, the time for preventive action is now. By integrating nutrition counselling and lifestyle medicine into routine care, doctors can help reduce risk, improve screening uptake, and ultimately save lives.
Key Takeaways:
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Fourth Most Common, Second Deadliest: Bowel cancer is the 4th most common cancer in Australia and the second leading cause of cancer death, with around 14,900 diagnoses annually.
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Alarming Rise in Young Adults: Worldwide, bowel cancer rates in younger adults have increased by 266% since the 1980s, with around 1 in 10 cases now occurring in people under 50.
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Leading Killer of Young Adults: Bowel cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Australian adults aged 25–54.
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Early Detection Saves Lives: 99% of bowel cancer cases are successfully treated when detected at the earliest stage.
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Prevention Is Possible: Nutrition and lifestyle factors play a critical role in reducing bowel cancer risk.
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Scalable Solution: The new CPD course equips healthcare professionals with practical, evidence-based strategies for prevention, early detection, and post-diagnosis support.
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Two Courses Available: Separate programs for medical professionals and patients ensure accessible, tailored education for both clinicians and the community.
Access the Courses:
For medical professionals: Preventing Bowel Cancer in Clinical Practice
For patients and the general community: Preventing Bowel Cancer
About us:
Doctors For Nutrition is an independent, registered charity founded in 2018 with the mission to inspire the healthcare sector, policymakers, and society at large to integrate whole food plant-based nutrition and other lifestyle medicine principles as powerful tools for disease prevention and care. With a team of medical and dietetic practitioners across Australia, New Zealand, and globally, Doctors For Nutrition works to equip clinicians, institutions, and communities with evidence-based education and resources on optimal human nutrition-led lifestyle medicine strategies to prevent, alleviate, and even reverse chronic diseases, aiming to create a world free from preventable disease where everyone can thrive and live to their full potential.canceraustralia.gov
