While some might think young people shouldn’t have to worry about being checked for colorectal cancer, a new report from the American Cancer Society begs to differ.
The report found that an estimated 20,000 people in the U.S. under the age of 50 will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, and around 3,750 young adults will die from the disease.
Researchers behind the report shared, “Colorectal cancer is rapidly shifting to diagnosis at a younger age.” Since 1995, the number of people under 55 diagnosed with colon cancer jumped from one in 10 to one in five in 2019.
The form of cancer has also become one of the deadliest cancers for those in Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z.
The findings shared that colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women in the U.S. But the form of cancer is continuously becoming more common.
Findings from the report showed that the proportion of individuals diagnosed with advanced-stage colorectal cancer jumped from 52% in the mid-2000s to 60% in 2019.
Dr. Kimmie Ng, who directs the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Dana Farber Cancer Center, spoke with NPR about the report. The doctor shared that while people in their 20s and 30s are statistically less likely to get colorectal cancer, the rate is expected to increase by 90% by 2030.
“We are seeing a rise in young-onset colorectal cancer in every ethnic and racial group,” Ng said. “So everybody needs to be aware of the symptoms.”
Symptoms include changing bowel habits, having blood in your stool, unexpected weight loss, fatigue, and feeling bloated or full often.
Ng says that if you are experiencing these symptoms, you should consult a health professional about getting screened.
Research has been launched into the possible factors for the rise in colon cancer, and Ng says everything from not getting enough vitamin D to eating too much red meat could be responsible.
A 2021 study looking into potential factors found that women who drink more than two sugary drinks per day doubled their risk of early-onset colorectal cancer compared to women who drank less than one drink.
Diets could become the common factor in the rise in colon cancer, as another study published this month suggested people who eat a majority of fresh foods and try to avoid processed foods are less likely to develop the form of cancer. The study compared those who ate more fresh food to those whose diets consisted of ultra-processed foods.
Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
Related
Related
