We are proud to share that our qualitative study exploring the experiences of people diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer (eoCRC) has been accepted for publication in BMC Gastroenterology.

Led by Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE), this research gathered the voices of 47 patients and survivors under the age of 50 from seven European countries: France, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Through a series of moderated focus groups, participants shared their challenges from when symptoms appeared to life after diagnosis.

The findings paint a clear picture: health systems across Europe are struggling to respond to the specific needs of younger adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Key challenges reported include:

• Delays in diagnosis due to age-related biases and lack of awareness among both patients and healthcare professionals.
• Limited access to age-appropriate support, including psychological care, physiotherapy, and nutritional counselling.
• There are wide disparities between countries in access to biomarker testing and continuity of care, often depending on whether patients are treated in the public or private sector.

One of the study’s key findings is the need to rethink how early symptoms and risk factors are assessed in younger adults. Many participants did not present with typical warning signs, and fatigue often emerged as one of the only early indicators. Moreover, traditional risk factors such as smoking, obesity, or poor diet appeared largely absent in this population, highlighting the importance of broadening current awareness and diagnostic criteria for eoCRC.

The study also draws attention to gender-specific diagnostic delays, particularly among women whose symptoms were often misattributed to hormonal or gynaecological conditions. This reinforces the need for gender-sensitive approaches in clinical evaluation.

The findings support the urgent need for:

• Public awareness campaigns targeting younger adults.
• Improved training for healthcare professionals to recognize symptoms regardless of age or gender.
• Better integration of psychological, nutritional, and rehabilitative services into cancer care pathways.

We are deeply grateful to our member organizations and expert patients who supported the development of this research and, above all, to the individuals who courageously shared their stories. This publication marks an important step forward in our commitment to ensuring that the needs of younger CRC patients are seen, heard, and addressed at both national and European levels.

Read the full article here.

Contact us for more information: marianna@digestivecancers.eu

Author:

Marianna Vitaloni