The Christie NHS Foundation Trust has launched the UK’s first dedicated Early Onset Colorectal Cancer (EOCRC) nursing service, responding to a sharp rise in cases among people under 50.
Rates of bowel cancer in those aged 25 to 49 have risen 48% since 1993, and at The Christie, a specialist cancer centre in Manchester, up to 11.6% of all new colorectal cancer patients seen between 2021 and 2023 were under 50. In January 2025 alone, younger patients accounted for over one in five patient contacts.
Younger patients often face a colorectal cancer diagnosis at a pivotal stage of life - juggling family planning, career growth and financial pressures - yet current support pathways are not tailored to their needs. The Christie aims to change that.
The new EOCRC nursing service is built around a dedicated Clinical Nurse Specialist, funded for 2 years by The Christie Charity which supports the work of The Christie hospital. This specialist nurse will provide proactive, personalised support, streamline access to services, and strengthen links with medical, psychological and social care teams across Greater Manchester.
Sabrina Scott from Davenham in Cheshire has been appointed as the Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Specialist Nurse and says: “We are seeing more younger people facing the life‑changing impact of colorectal cancer, and their needs are profoundly different. This dedicated service ensures our younger patients receive holistic, age‑appropriate care from the moment of diagnosis, while also enabling vital research that will shape the future of EOCRC treatment across the UK. I feel privileged to be taking on this role and lucky that we have such a supportive Charity funding roles such as mine that make a huge impact to the care and support we are able to offer our patients.”
The role will also underpin a new research platform, supporting clinical trial recruitment, biobank enrolment and studies into the unique physical, emotional and social needs of younger patients.
Patient Lyndsey Ainscough, from Leigh, says: “Being diagnosed at 38 years old was terrifying. I was juggling work, 3 young children and a thousand unanswered questions. Knowing there will be a specialist service for people my age is incredible. It means others won’t feel as lost as I did in those first weeks, and they’ll have support from someone who truly understands what younger patients are going through.”
Louise Hadley, CEO of The Christie Charity, says: “It is a privilege for us to be able to fund incredibly important services such as this. As a Charity we exist to support the work of The Christie hospital and provide care, treatment and services that are above and beyond what the NHS funds. The new EOCRC nursing service will ensure young colorectal cancer patients receive the support they need at one of the most challenging times of their lives.”
To support the work of The Christie Charity, please go to Donate today or ring 0161 446 3988.
The Christie Charity supports the work of The Christie NHS Foundation Trust providing enhanced services over and above what the NHS funds. This includes money for care and treatment, research, education, and extra patient services. Gifts from the public make a huge difference to the care and treatment that The Christie is able to provide to cancer patients and their families.