Why are more young people getting bowel cancer?

James Van Der Beek’s death last week at just 48 shocked fans, reignited fears about a disease we still associate with old age. Cases of bowel cancer are rising in those under 50, even as rates fall among the elderly. To find out why, researchers are turning to a century of preserved samples.

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Guest: 

• Ben Spencer, science editor, The Sunday Times
•  Professor Trevor Graham,  director, Centre for Evolution and Cancer
• Holly Masters, cancer patient 

Host: Manveen Rana

Producer: Julia Webster, Sophie McNulty

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Read more: Bowel cancer has doubled in under-50s: do the reasons lie in birth?

Further listening: Why are more young people getting cancer?

Photo: Getty.

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