Colorectal cancer has become increasingly prevalent among younger adults, now ranking as the deadliest cancer for men under 50 and the second deadliest for women in the same age group, behind breast cancer. Over the past two decades, colon cancer has risen from the fourth to a leading cause of cancer death for men and women under 50. Despite overall cancer deaths falling in the U.S., the American Cancer Society reports in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians that colon and rectal cancers are now primary causes of cancer death in younger adults.
Traditionally viewed as an elderly disease, cancer’s prevalence in those 65 and older has decreased slightly, from 61% in 1995 to 58% today. This shift is attributed to reductions in prostate and smoking-related cancers, even as this age group has grown in the general population. In contrast, new cancer diagnoses among adults ages 50 to 64 have risen from 25% to 30% since 1995. There’s also an increase in rates of breast, endometrial, mouth, and throat cancers, although the report did not specify age-related trends for these.
Dr. Kimmie Ng from the Young Onset Colorectal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston observes that patients are increasingly younger. Dr. William Dahut of the American Cancer Society notes that younger people often face more aggressive late-stage diagnoses.
Sierra Fuller’s story exemplifies this trend. At 33, she was diagnosed with stage 3b colorectal cancer, a shock considering her age and lack of family history. The diagnosis affected her life plans, including considerations about starting a family.
The reasons behind the rise in colorectal cancer among younger people remain unclear. While lifestyle factors like obesity, inactivity, and poor diet are suspected, many patients, according to Ng, do not fit this profile, suggesting environmental factors might play a role. Ng speculates these factors could be altering our microbiomes or immune systems, making us more susceptible to cancers at a younger age.
To combat this trend, colonoscopy screenings are recommended from age 45, or earlier for those with a family history. While only a third of colon cancer cases have a family history, maintaining a healthy weight and minimizing red meat consumption may reduce risk. Key warning signs include blood in stool, abdominal pain, unintended weight loss, and changes in bowel habits. Ng emphasizes the importance of not ignoring these symptoms and consulting a doctor promptly.
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