Sunshine Coast Team Launches Biobank to Probe Rising Early-Onset Bowel Cancer

A collaborative research program between Sunshine Coast University Hospital and the University of the Sunshine Coast is creating a biobank of human tissue and blood from bowel-cancer patients younger than 50. The $2.5 million study, supported by Cancer Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Council, plans to gather up to 60 specimens within three years to examine whether early-onset cases represent a distinct disease entity.

Lochlan Fennell, a cancer biologist at UniSC, expects preliminary findings by year-end, focusing on molecular differences and potential lifestyle contributors like microplastics, chemicals and bacterial toxins. Acting medical director Michael Allen highlights that 8-10 % of patients are now under 40 and that misperceptions about age-related risk often delay diagnosis. The project also seeks to improve treatment strategies for this growing patient group. Survivor Natalie Hunter, diagnosed at 43, supports the biobank and stresses the importance of recognizing warning signs such as changes in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss.