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- Nearly half of all new colorectal cancer cases occur in adults under 65, which is up 27% from 1995.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Colorectal cancer is now the deadliest cancer in people under 50 and the second deadliest cancer overall in the United States.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- About three out of four adults under 50 with colorectal cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The recent deaths of \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek\u201d actor James Van Der Beek at 48 and \u201cBlack Panther\u201d star Chadwick Boseman at 43 to colon cancer highlight the risk for younger adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely very concerning,\u201d Spira Care Shawnee Physician Dr. Isaac Johnston said. \u201cI have seen more patients in the past couple of years under 45 requesting colonoscopies. As a physician, I need to be much more diligent when looking for symptoms of colorectal cancer for patients even in their 20s or 30s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Risk Factors of Colorectal Cancer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Colorectal cancer occurs when cells in the colon or rectum (at the end of the colon) grow out of control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t know exactly why there is such a spike in younger people getting colorectal cancer, but part of it may have to do with the fact that many of the risk factors have increased for adults under 50,\u201d Dr. Johnston said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Dr. Johnston, risk factors include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Obesity<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Type 2 diabetes<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Eating processed foods, particularly processed meats (hot dogs, sausage, bacon, ham, packaged lunch meats)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- High consumption of red meat<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sugar-sweetened beverages<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Smoking<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- High alcohol consumption \u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPatients at higher risk for colorectal cancer are Native Americans, African Americans and Alaska Natives,\u201d Dr. Johnston said. \u201cBeing more sedentary versus having an active lifestyle is another risk factor. A typical American diet is low in fiber, high in fat and high in processed foods, and those are all risk factors for colorectal cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFeeling fatigue or having blood in the stool are early signs you might have colorectal cancer,\u201d Dr. Johnston said. \u201cAs the cancer grows and gets bigger, you have unintended weight loss. The cancer can cause bowel blockages. The survival rate is better when you catch it early before it spreads in the lymph nodes, liver and the rest of the body.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other symptoms<\/a> include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that\u2019s not relieved by having one<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Rectal bleeding with bright red blood<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Take Action<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to the American Cancer Society<\/a>, many colorectal cancer deaths can be prevented. Half of people diagnosed before 50 are ages 45 to 49, and that’s the age range when people with an average risk are eligible for colorectal cancer screening.\u00a0Only 37% of this age group are screened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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