Updated:
February 20, 2023
Published:
August 29, 2020
When it comes to colon cancer, there is good news and bad news. Because more adults 45 years of age and older are getting colonoscopies and other screenings, overall rates of colorectal cancer in the U.S. have been declining dramatically since the mid-1980s. The bad news? There has been a steady uptick in the disease among young adults, with rectal cancer increasing faster than colon cancer.
Colon cancer is probably something most millennials don't think about when it comes to their health. But new data show why it's more important than ever to be aware of colorectal cancer symptoms and risk factors, and talk to your doctor if you notice changes in your digestive health.
Colorectal Cancer Study Looks at Millennials
Researchers from the American Cancer Society studied patients ages 20 years and older with colorectal cancer, looking at the records of 490,305 people who were diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer from 1974 through 2013. The data came from the highly regarded Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program registries.
According to the study, young adults may be more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage disease than older people. This may be largely because colon cancer is not typically on the radar of young adults and their health-care providers, and they often don’t recognize the symptoms–sometimes for years.
Colon Cancer Risk Factors
Although the numbers of young people diagnosed with colon cancer is small, young adults need to become better educated about healthy lifestyle behaviors and the risk factors for colorectal cancers, including:
- Being overweight or obese
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle
- Eating large amounts of processed and red meat
- Having a family history of colon cancer or Lynch syndrome (a genetic mutation)
You can lower your risk for colon cancer by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and less red meat (beef or lamb) and processed meats (hot dogs and some luncheon meats).
Know The Signs of Colon Cancer
People of all ages should be aware of colorectal cancer signs and symptoms and report any changes to their doctor. In the early stages of colon cancer, symptoms can be very subtle, but be on the lookout for:
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Narrowing of the stool
- Change in bowel habits, including persistent diarrhea or constipation over several weeks
- Anemia causing weakness and fatigue
New Screening Age
Because colon cancer is increasingly affecting younger people, the recommended age to begin screening for those at average risk is now 45 years of age (it had previously been 50). In addition to colonoscopy, the U.S. Preventive Task Force considers the following methods acceptable screening tests for colorectal cancer: FOBT (Fecal Occult Blood Test), FIT (Stool DNA) and sigmoidoscopy. Talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer screening to determine the most appropriate course of action for you.