Doctors highlight importance of early screening after rise in colon cancer rates in young people

A new study from the University of Colorado School of Medicine has found that more young people are being diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer, prompting doctors to call for early detection and screening.

Researchers analyzed data from more than 100,000 people with adenocarcinoma, an aggressive cancer that’s more likely to be caught in later stages. They found that young patients 20-29 years old have had the highest increase in new colon cancer cases and are more likely to be in the distant stage of cancer when diagnosed, meaning the cancer has already spread. In particular, subgroups of non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic participants had the highest increases, ABC News reports.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recently changed the screening guidelines for colon cancer from age 50 to age 45 after reviewing recent trends of increasing cases of colon cancer in younger people.

Physicians believe obesity, diet, and environmental factors could be contributing to the rise in diagnosis rates.

Medical experts also say a delay in diagnosis could be contributing to the rise and that younger people may not seek colon cancer screening immediately because of a dangerous misconception that it’s an unlikely diagnosis in those under 50. This can delay diagnosis, which gives the cancer time to progress to a later stage.

The good news is delays in diagnosis can be avoided with timely screening. Common symptoms to look out for include rectal bleeding, persistent abdominal pain or fullness, and unexplained weakness.

The University of Colorado study does not factor in family history. If a family member has colon cancer, it can significantly raise the risk of developing the disease. Doctors recommend people with risk factors such as family history and genetic syndromes – like Lynch syndrome- to talk to their doctors about early screening.

Remember, if you are 45 years old, get screened on time. If you are under 45, report any concerning symptoms and your family history to your doctor – it can prevent the development or advancement of colorectal cancer.