Rising Concern As Colon Cancer Emerges As A Top Killer For Young Adults
Rising concern as colon cancer emerges as a top killer for young adults. In statistics, there's a troubling uptick in colorectal cancer cases among younger individuals, and these cases are showing a tendency to be more severe.
Author:Paula M. GrahamReviewer:Rhyley CarneyMar 05, 20244.3K Shares89.7K Views
Rising concern as colon cancer emerges as a top killer for young adults. In statistics, there's a troubling uptick in colorectal cancer cases among younger individuals, and these cases are showing a tendency to be more severe.
Experts are leveraging Colorectal Cancer Month to heighten awareness of this issue. If you're under 45, pay close attention. Although screening and treatments have improved, leading to a decline in colon and colorectal cancer cases among those aged over 50, a concerning trend is emerging.
"The colorectal cancer incidence has started rising in the young people," according to Dr. Anwaar Saeed, the director of UPMC's Gastrointestinal Disease Center.
Studies suggest that lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and antibiotic usage may play a role as contributing factors.
"Longtime, prospective studies are needed to confirm a causation link," Dr. Saeed stressed.
According to Dr. Saeed, who works at the Hillman Cancer Center, the association between early diagnosis and survivability is well-established and does not require any additional research to be conducted. On the other hand, the problem manifests itself in younger people who are in their 20s and 30s.
“„[These age groups] tend to write off symptoms to other more benign causes. The last thing that would come to their mind is colon cancer, especially [since] most of those cases do not have a family history, and so, you know, that delays that attention.- Dr. Anwaar Saeed
Dr. Saeed mentions that physicians frequently notice their patient's age before anything else.
"The last thing that would come to the provider's mind is colon cancer, too."
Consequently, young people often experience delays in receiving diagnosis and treatment.
"I would say more than 80% of those cases are diagnosed when the cancer is at late stages, stage four."
Dr. Saeed added that these diagnoses carry significantly lower odds of survivability. She emphasizes the necessity for enhanced awareness across all aspects.
"Knowing the early signs of colorectal cancer is very important."
The American Cancer Society anticipates that over 150,000 individuals will receive a diagnosis of colorectal cancer in 2024.
"This is really becoming the number one cancer-related issue in our younger population," said Dr. Christopher Lieu, a GI Medical Oncologist at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
He mentions that symptoms might consist of blood in the stool, abrupt weight loss, abdominal discomfort, or alterations in bowel movements.
In addition to variations in bowel habits that are not connected to nutrition, warning symptoms include discomfort in the lower abdominal region or lower back, blood in the stool, or weight loss that cannot be explained. A trip to the doctor is necessary if you have any of these symptoms. Is it true that colon cancer is frequently inherited?
It is made clear by Dr. Saeed that inherited factors are responsible for only twenty percent of instances. The remaining eighty percent is the result of a variety of conditions and causes. However, colon cancer is highly curable if it is discovered in its earlier stages and treated promptly.
Experts are leveraging Colorectal Cancer Month to heighten awareness of this issue. If you're under 45, pay close attention. Although screening and treatments have improved, leading to a decline in colon and colorectal cancer cases among those aged over 50, a concerning trend is emerging.
"The colorectal cancer incidence has started rising in the young people," according to Dr. Anwaar Saeed, the director of UPMC's Gastrointestinal Disease Center.
Studies suggest that lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and antibiotic usage may play a role as contributing factors.
"Longtime, prospective studies are needed to confirm a causation link," Dr. Saeed stressed.
According to Dr. Saeed, who works at the Hillman Cancer Center, the association between early diagnosis and survivability is well-established and does not require any additional research to be conducted. On the other hand, the problem manifests itself in younger people who are in their 20s and 30s.
“„[These age groups] tend to write off symptoms to other more benign causes. The last thing that would come to their mind is colon cancer, especially [since] most of those cases do not have a family history, and so, you know, that delays that attention.- Dr. Anwaar Saeed
Dr. Saeed mentions that physicians frequently notice their patient's age before anything else.
"The last thing that would come to the provider's mind is colon cancer, too."
Consequently, young people often experience delays in receiving diagnosis and treatment.
"I would say more than 80% of those cases are diagnosed when the cancer is at late stages, stage four."
Dr. Saeed added that these diagnoses carry significantly lower odds of survivability. She emphasizes the necessity for enhanced awareness across all aspects.
"Knowing the early signs of colorectal cancer is very important."
The American Cancer Society anticipates that over 150,000 individuals will receive a diagnosis of colorectal cancer in 2024.
"This is really becoming the number one cancer-related issue in our younger population," said Dr. Christopher Lieu, a GI Medical Oncologist at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
He mentions that symptoms might consist of blood in the stool, abrupt weight loss, abdominal discomfort, or alterations in bowel movements.
In addition to variations in bowel habits that are not connected to nutrition, warning symptoms include discomfort in the lower abdominal region or lower back, blood in the stool, or weight loss that cannot be explained. A trip to the doctor is necessary if you have any of these symptoms. Is it true that colon cancer is frequently inherited?
It is made clear by Dr. Saeed that inherited factors are responsible for only twenty percent of instances. The remaining eighty percent is the result of a variety of conditions and causes. However, colon cancer is highly curable if it is discovered in its earlier stages and treated promptly.
Paula M. Graham
Author
Rhyley Carney
Reviewer
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