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Young-onset bowel cancer is on the rise, and it's killing young Australians
More young Australians are being diagnosed with bowel cancer than ever before. Many are in the middle of building careers, raising families and planning their future. Young-onset bowel cancer has surged by 65% since 2005, and Australia has the fastest rise in the world.
But the system is not designed for younger patients.
GI Cancer Trials is working to change that through COMPASS, a clinical trial focused on improving outcomes for younger people with bowel cancer. By combining tailored care with new research, COMPASS aims to better understand these cancers and how to treat them more effectively.
Make a tax-deductible donation to help fund this vital research and give younger Australians facing bowel cancer a better future.
The reality of young-onset bowel cancer
Jodie is the centre of her family. Her diagnosis changed how she saw her role and her future.
“You’re the glue that holds everything together and suddenly that changes.”
Melissa had just started a new chapter when she was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. What felt like minor symptoms quickly became major treatment.
“It wasn’t the welcome home I imagined.”
Gemma was living a full life with two young children when cancer stopped everything. Like many younger patients, her symptoms were initially dismissed.
“It wasn’t even considered. I was too young.”
Ebony was balancing work and raising her young son when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Within days, her life shifted.
“You’re still making breakfast for your child and then going to treatment.”
Bowel cancer’s growing impact on younger Australians cannot be ignored
Australia leads the world with the greatest rise in people developing young-onset bowel cancer.
(Cancer Council, 2025)
A third of bowel cancer patients are expected to be younger adults by 2030.
(Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2023)
Young-onset bowel cancer has surged by 65% since 2005.
(Cancer Council, 2025)
We are leading the change in bowel cancer research
Dr Julia Freckelton is leading research to improve how bowel cancer is treated for younger Australians.
As a gastrointestinal oncologist and lead investigator of the COMPASS trial, she is seeing younger patients in her clinic each year.
“By 2030, we expect a third of our patients will be younger adults.
That is why COMPASS is so important. The trial is developing more flexible models of care, specialised support services and a national biobank to better understand these cancers."
With your support, this research can go further and deliver better treatment, better quality of life and better outcomes for younger Australians facing bowel cancer.
Thank you to our incredible supporters!
Eric Porter
Bernice Richards
Geoffrey Sensier
Elizabeth Birkett
Dung Lam
Stephen Jamieson
Lorraine Hendra
Scott Grant
Robin Verstappen
