COLON CANCER IN YOUNG ADULTS
IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, A FEW STUDIES SHOWED THAT THERE IS AN ALARMING RISE IN COLON CANCER INCIDENTS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS. ACTOR CHADWICK BOSEMAN AT 43 DIED IN AUGUST 2020 AFTER A LONG BATTLE WITH COLON CANCER.
This article provides an overview of the how the rate of new cases in young adults have increased in recent years.(1)
https://utswmed.org/medblog/colon-cancer-young-adults/
The increased incidence in young adults is attributed to several factors including environmental, genetic and hereditary factors, fatty, sugary and low fiber diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Other theories include gut microbiome changes.(2)
The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals with average risk of colon cancer start screening at age 45. Average risk is identified as individuals who do not have personal history of colon cancer or high risk polyps, do not have family history of colon cancer, history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), do not have genetic risk for colon cancer or do not have history of radiation treatment to the abdomen.(3)
It is worth noting that earlier screening at age 45 or even 40 would miss cases in younger population. Therefore, awareness of possible common symptoms of colon cancer may help alerting patients to seek medical care and schedule colonoscopy procedure which can increase the chance of early detection. These symptoms include abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, change in color of stool or rectal bleeding.
In our practice we have noticed an increase in the number of colon cancer cases in young patients. Five years ago, it would be extremely rare to see colon cancer in patients in their 20s or 30s. However just this year during the period from March through August we have encountered several colon cancer cases between the ages of 29 and 36. The attached microscopic images are examples of these cases.
