A stark reminder bowel cancer isn't just associated with old age

An Otago University study shows early onset colorectal cancer rates have risen 26 percent a decade, in the past 20 years.

Christchurch woman Naomi Argyle was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, in March.

She's 45 years old.

She says it's shocking the current screening age is 60.

Argyle says since her diagnosis, she's been flooded with messages from younger people with bowel cancer.