Crime & Safety
Oxford’s Occtopus, raises alarm over bowel cancer rise
Occtopus, the Oxford Colon Cancer Trust, is urging people of all ages to be aware of symptoms during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in April. The call follows a rise in diagnoses among younger adults.
New data from the most recent bowel cancer audit shows that 38,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year in the UK.
While 37 per cent of cases are in people aged 60 to 74, the proportion diagnosed under the age of 50 increased from 6.4 per cent in 2022 to 8 per cent in 2023. This means more than 3,000 people under 50 are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year.
Professor Sir Neil Mortensen, chair of Occtopus, said: “We are seeing an increasing number of younger people in our bowel cancer clinics, with many initially ignoring their symptoms as there is a common misconception that bowel cancer mostly affects older people.
“Bowel cancer is one of the best cancers to treat, and outcomes are mostly positive if it is caught early enough. The key message this Bowel Cancer Awareness Month is simple: if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it.
“Early diagnosis saves lives, and no one is too young to have bowel cancer.”
Occtopus is reminding the public to be alert to symptoms, regardless of age, as the disease is still most commonly associated with older adults.
Symptoms can include persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss or anaemia, and extreme fatigue. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is encouraged to seek medical advice and request a colonoscopy from their GP.
Though the reasons behind the rise in younger cases are still under investigation, experts believe a mix of lifestyle, dietary, environmental, and possibly genetic factors may be contributing. The NHS currently offers bowel cancer screening from age 50, meaning younger adults are not routinely screened and often receive a diagnosis at a more advanced stage.
Occtopus was founded in 2003 by consultants and former patients of Oxford University Hospitals.
The charity funds research and equipment for treating colorectal diseases and supports the development of new therapies for colorectal cancer, colitis, and Crohn’s disease. It also plays a role in shaping treatment approaches across the NHS and supports national and international research to improve patient care and outcomes.
Professor Mortensen said: “We are seeing an increasing number of younger people in our bowel cancer clinics, with many initially ignoring their symptoms as there is a common misconception that bowel cancer mostly affects older people.”
Oxford Stand Up To Racism has accused Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, of inciting the ‘awful violent scenes’ in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2).
The city where 18-year-old Henry Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived became a scene of destruction after hundreds descended to smash car windows, hurl bricks and cause eleven officers and a police dog to be injured.
READ MORE: New date set for Tommy Robinson appearance in Oxford
Following the disorder, the chief of Hampshire police said those involved were ‘determined to spark fear and division’.
Yaxley-Lennon, who has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences including when he was imprisoned in October 2024 for contempt of caught, addressed the crowd at the riot.
He said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.
“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”
Oxford Stand Up to Racism is now renewing its call for the Oxford Union to withdraw its invitation for the ‘riot agitator’ to speak on June 17 on the subject of Islam.
He was originally due to speak at the historic debating society on Thursday, May 28 before his appearance was postponed over security concerns and after massive backlash.
READ MORE: Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene
Ian McKendrick, a member of the anti-racism group, said: “Despite Henry Nowak’s family clearly requesting that his death should not be used to promote further hatred, Robinson was at the centre of protests in Southampton last night and clearly inciting violence.
“Giving him a televised platform at the Oxford Union legitimises hate and violence, and gives him the opportunity to incite violence to an audience of millions.
“It does not promote free speech – instead, it promotes fear and intimidation among minoritised communities.
“Already we have seen Oxford fascists alongside Robinson in Southampton and now mobilising to bring more hate onto Oxford’s streets.”
Members of Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire were called to attend the Southampton protest on Tuesday night, with the leader of the group posting on Facebook to ask followers to join the ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ protest.
Mr McKendrick added: “There is a concerted effort by far right leaders and fascist groups to incite outrage and bring people on to the streets to riot.
READ MORE: Traffic chaos in Witney amid report of ‘major incident’
“We risk an explosion of violence similar to what we saw around the Southport murders across the UK.
“We’re calling on Oxford to say a clear ‘no’ to this hate and division by protesting against Yaxley-Lennon’s appearance at the Oxford Union.”
Faith and civic leaders of Oxford already wrote to the Oxford Union asking it to rescind the controversial figure’s invitation, and hundreds have signed an open letter calling for the same.
A reported incident at a junction in Witney is causing traffic chaos in the town, with drivers coming off the A40 and elsewhere stuck in long queues.
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An incident occurred in St Aldate’s, outside the entrance to Christ Church Meadows, at about 4pm on Tuesday, June 2.
At least three ambulances were responding to what appeared to be a medical emergency on the pavement.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire footbridge over A-road a collapse risk for years
An individual was scene on a stretcher being cared for by paramedics.
An eyewitness said the incident occurred opposite the Alice Shop, and the medical teams ‘evacuated’ the person.
Apart from the pavement briefly being blocked while the first responders dealt with the emergency, it did not appear to affect traffic or block the road in busy St Aldate’s.
South Central Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.
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