WASHINGTON (AP) — Colorectal cancer isn’t just a concern for older adults anymore; it’s increasingly affecting younger men and women. In fact, it has become the leading cancer killer for Americans under the age of 50.
The recent deaths of “Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van Der Beek at 48 and “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman at 43 emphasize this growing risk among younger individuals.
“We’re starting to see more people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s being diagnosed with colon cancer. When I began my career, we rarely saw colorectal cancer in that age group,” noted Dr. John Marshall from Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, who has been in the field for over three decades.
Marshall remarked that this trend is, to be candid, quite alarming. He also serves as a medical consultant for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
Here’s some important information regarding colorectal cancer — at any age — and preventative measures to consider.
How common is colorectal cancer?
This year, over 158,000 cases of colorectal cancer are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S., according to the American Cancer Society. Overall, it stands as the second leading cancer killer in the country, following lung cancer, which is projected to cause more than 55,000 deaths this year.
While cases and fatalities have declined slightly in recent years, primarily due to screening tests that enable early tumor detection — thereby making treatment easier, or even preventing cancer if precancerous growths are identified and removed — these improvements are not universal.
Who’s most at risk?
Most colorectal cancer cases and deaths still involve individuals aged 50 and older, an age group that has seen notable progress. Death rates among them have decreased by around 1.5% annually over the last decade, according to cancer society data.
Nonetheless, while it remains relatively uncommon in individuals under 50, diagnoses have been on the rise since the early 2000s.
Recently, researchers noted that mortality rates from colorectal cancer in Americans under 50 have risen by 1.1% each year since 2005, making it the deadliest cancer in that age group. This year, approximately 3,890 individuals under 50 are estimated to succumb to it.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer, regardless of age, include obesity, sedentary lifestyles, diets high in red or processed meats and low in fruits and vegetables, smoking, heavy alcohol use, inflammatory bowel disease, or a family history of the disease.
Marshall advises a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, while also suggesting that “meat isn’t evil,” but should be consumed less frequently.
A recent study also found that a three-year exercise program significantly improved survival rates in colon cancer patients and lessened the risk of recurrence.
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Common symptoms include blood in stool or rectal bleeding; changes in bowel habits like prolonged diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of stool; unintentional weight loss; and cramps or abdominal discomfort.
“Do not ignore symptoms. Get them checked out,” emphasized Marshall. Early diagnosis of colorectal cancer dramatically increases survival rates before it spreads.
When to get screened for colorectal cancer
Medical guidelines suggest that the average individual should begin screening at age 45, which might be too late for some younger adults.
People at higher risk should consult with their doctors about the appropriateness of earlier screenings.
The frequency of screenings varies based on the method chosen. Options include annual stool-based tests or colonoscopies, which might only need to be conducted every ten years if no issues are detected. Additionally, there’s a newer blood test available for those aged 45 and older.
What’s causing the rise in colorectal cancer among younger adults?
The reasons behind the increase in cases among younger adults remain unclear. However, Marshall points out that many young patients lack typical risk factors. He speculates whether changes in gut bacteria — the microbiome — could be contributing.
Moreover, the location of the cancer in the colon — it makes a question mark shape from one side of the abdomen to the other before ending at the rectum — influences its aggressiveness and treatment. Marshall indicates that there are noteworthy differences in tumor locations between younger and older patients, which is being further investigated.
