Bowel cancer is increasing at an alarming rate in young people, and is currently the biggest cancer killer of young Australians aged 25-44. In this episode, I sit down with colorectal surgeon and Bowel Cancer Australia spokesperson Dr Penelope De Lacavalerie to discuss some diagnostic pitfalls to avoid when it comes to the investigation and referral of suspicious bowel symptoms, in particular in young people. How young is too young to have bowel cancer? How can clinicians tell if PR bleeding is just haemorrhoids and not something more sinister? Should colonoscopy be delayed for pregnant or lactating women who present with suspicious symptoms? We answer to these questions, and more. The answers may surprise you. If you want to find Penelope, she has a website (mysydneysurgeon.com.au) and Instagram (@mysydneysurgeon). ** All content and opinions expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the host and the guests, and do not represent the views of any organisations with which they are affiliated.