Bowel cancer cases in under-50s surge with women most at risk, report finds

A new report into cancer cases in Scotland has revealed a sharp rise in colon-rectal cancer in under-50s, with women experiencing a 56% increase.

New figures released by Public Health Scotland (PHS) on cancer cases between 2014 and 2024 highlighted a surge in colon-rectal cancer diagnoses in people under 50 by 38%.

Women made up 56% of the new cases, although overall, men were found to be more at risk of developing cancer.

In 2024, 37,657 new cancers were registered in Scotland, with around 1,300 more men than women being diagnosed with the disease.

Between 2014 and 2024, cancer cases among men increased by 8%, with the risk of developing cancer higher in men than in women.

The most common cancer types in Scotland were prostate, breast, lung, and colorectal, accounting for 55% of all diagnoses.

In females, there were significant increases in the rates of breast cancer (8%), colorectal cancer (8%), and malignant melanoma of the skin (by more than a third, 37%).

Meanwhile, in males, there were significant increases in the rates of prostate cancer (50%) and
malignant melanoma of the skin (28%)

The number of diagnoses was 6% lower compared with 2023; between 2014 and 2024, the incidence rate increased 13%.

From 2014 to 2024, there was a 50% increase in the rates of prostate cancer.

Some cancers are more likely to occur depending on where you live, PHS found.

Prostate, breast, and melanoma risks are higher in the least deprived areas, while lung, colorectal, and cervical cancer risks are higher in the most deprived areas.

The causes of the disease were also examined over the decade, with a drop in smoking-related cancer diagnoses.

In addition, the HPV vaccination led to no cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 in 2024.

Previously, some cancers that developed in the body could not be traced to a primary site and were classified as cancers of unknown primary (CUP).

These cases have decreased over the decade due to enhanced diagnostic testing, while some cases are being caught much earlier due to better screening technology.

Frances Logan, policy and public affairs lead in Scotland at Breast Cancer Now, called on ministers to make early diagnosis “a priority” to tackle the increase over the past decade.

She said: “As outlined in our recent report Scotland Demands Change, we need renewed political ambition, prioritisation and investment in breast cancer to ensure everyone affected gets the best possible care and support, wherever they are.

“Diagnosing breast cancer early can make it easier to treat and improve survival. Yet Scotland continues to miss the achievable 80% NHS breast screening uptake target, and differences in waiting times between health boards risks creating a postcode lottery in people’s chances of getting diagnosed and treated quickly.

“The Scottish Government must make earlier diagnosis a priority by improving breast screening uptake and ensuring people have timely access to diagnostic services and treatment, wherever they live.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “While more people are being diagnosed with cancer over time due to our ageing population, stats released show the number of new cancers diagnosed in 2024 have fallen slightly.

“A long-term drop in the levels of smoking has resulted in decreasing incidence of lung, head, neck, bladder and oesophagus cancers. There have been no cervical cancer cases detected in fully vaccinated women following the introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation programme in 2008.

“We are committed to reducing smoking rates to 5% or less by 2034 and eliminating cervical cancer by 2040, and the latest data shows the impact of those policies.

“Previous statistics show that the risk of dying from cancer in Scotland is now at the lowest rate on record for men and women, falling by 12.1% over the past decade.

“This encouraging trend reflects earlier detection, more effective treatments, and our continued investment in cancer services.”