This feature was written by Studio MSP writers. While some of our advertisers were sourced, no advertiser paid to be included.
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women combined in the United States. If you think that’s a problem that only affects older adults, think again.
By 2030, experts project colon cancer will be the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 50. While diagnoses are declining in those aged 50 and above, rates are increasing among adults under the age of 50, says Dr. Paul Dambowy, chief medical officer of MNGI Digestive Health. MNGI’s detection of adenomas—or precancerous polyps—for patients between 45 and 49 is 52 percent, Dambowy says.
“Unfortunately, many times patients won’t have symptoms or [will have] very vague symptoms,” says Dr. Marc Osborne, the CEO of Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates. “When they do have symptoms, it can range from obvious things such as blood in the stool or change in bowel habits, such as an increase or decrease in number of stools per day, to more subtle signs, such as change in stool consistency, change in urgency to have a bowel movement, abdominal fullness, [or] feeling full after eating a small amount.”
The good news: Colon cancer has good survival rates when it’s caught early.
The bad news: Once cancer spreads through the colon to adjacent lymph nodes or other organs, it can be tough to tackle—even with chemotherapy.
Experts recommend getting proper colon cancer screenings at age 45 or sooner if you have a family history. But if you’re seeing concerning symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult with a medical professional ASAP. “While there are different test options, a colonoscopy is the only test that can both detect and prevent colon cancer, because of the ability to remove polyps before they develop into cancer. That is why colonoscopy remains the gold standard over all screening tests,” Dambowy says. “However, it is important to note that completing any United States Preventive Services Task Force–approved colorectal cancer screening test is better than no screening at all.”
As to why there’s an increased diagnosis in younger adults: “That is the million-dollar question,” Osborne says. “We don’t know exactly. We do know that when young people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it is more likely to be located in the rectum or sigmoid colon as compared to patients diagnosed after age 50…. Young patients with colorectal cancer are more likely to have a lack of bacteria within their gut.”
Some experts hypothesize this lack of healthy microbiome may be in part due to our Western diet—high in fat, processed foods, refined grains, and red meat. Lifestyle can also contribute. So if you—like so many young adults—worry about this, the best advice: Prioritize healthy habits, especially when it comes to what you eat.
DYK?
One in five colorectal cancer patients are between 20 and 54 years old, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
Read more from our Annual Health Guide in the November issue of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine or here.