Troubling Rise: Colorectal Cancer Diagnoses Increasing Among Young Adults
In a distressing trend, more individuals under the age of 40 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a type of cancer that has traditionally affected older adults. Dr. Cathy Eng, an oncologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, highlighted that the average age of colorectal cancer patients in the United States is 66 years old. However, she has witnessed a rise in younger patients, like 31-year-old Sonia Richard, who first noticed symptoms of colon cancer when she was just 27.
Richard experienced concerning symptoms such as bloody stool, stomachaches, fatigue, weight loss, and bleeding. However, despite visiting four different doctors, she was repeatedly told that she was too young to have cancer. It was only after a colonoscopy that she discovered she had stage three colorectal cancer. This is not an isolated incident, as a recent cancer study revealed that people between the ages of 20 and 49 show the sharpest increase in late-stage, early-onset colorectal cancer.
Dr. Eng expressed her concern, stating, “These are young individuals that may have just graduated from college, graduated from grad school, embarking on some other aspect of their life, or may be in school or starting a family.” Current guidelines recommend that individuals of average risk should start colonoscopies at age 45. However, with the rise in cases among younger adults, there is a need for further evaluation and potential revision of these guidelines.
Dr. Robert Mark Krasny, a radiologist with RadNet, emphasized that colon cancer is still relatively rare among younger patients. Family history is a significant concern, but researchers have also identified obesity and a sedentary lifestyle as factors that increase the risk of colon cancer. To address this alarming trend, individuals may need to undergo colonoscopies at a younger age or consider other screening options.
One such alternative is a test to detect blood in the stool. However, Dr. Krasny warned that blood in the stool can be present for various reasons and is rarely indicative of cancer in younger patients. Another option is stool DNA tests, but like colonoscopies, these are currently recommended for those aged 45 and older. Sonia Richard advised individuals of all ages to be proactive in understanding their options and being aware of their own body. “You know your body better than anybody else, and if something feels off, push for answers,” she urged.
As the medical community grapples with this troubling rise in colorectal cancer cases among younger adults, it is crucial for individuals to be vigilant about their health, understand the potential risks, and consult with healthcare professionals at the slightest suspicion of any concerning symptoms.