Increase in colorectal cancer cases
Colorectal cancer is often thought to affect older people. However, according to a recent study published by the American Cancer Society, one in five cases diagnosed today occurs in people younger than age 55.
It is not quite clear as to what causes this trend, however, a new paper published in the journal Science suggests a number of possible reasons, such as environmental and genetic factors.
Who is at risk?
Nearly a third of colorectal cancers are associated with a family history of the disease.
Excess body weight increases the risk of colorectal cancer, said lead author Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of cancer surveillance research at the American Cancer Society, but only about 5 percent of colorectal cancers are attributed to excess body weight.
Further, excess weight is also predominantly linked to tumors on the right side of the colon. However, the cancer society found that the increases are occurring on the left side.
According to the paper published in Science, other possible factors include higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, as well as red and processed meats.
How it impacts you
All these risk factors have an effect on the microbiome – the population of bacteria and other microorganisms that populate the human digestive system. Colorectal cancer begins when the healthy cells in the lining of the colon or rectum change and grow out of control, forming a mass called tumor.
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Warning signs
Survival rates are 90 percent if the cancer is detected early enough.
“It is important for patients and providers to aggressively investigate concerning symptoms and signs, such as rectal bleeding and unexplained iron deficiency, to ensure that unsuspected colorectal cancer is not the cause, regardless of age,” said Reid Ness, an associate professor of medicine in gastroenterology, hepatology, and nutrition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Common symptoms in younger population
The most common symptoms for colorectal cancer in younger patients are abdominal pain; unexplained weight loss; changes in the frequency, size or appearance of stools; and rectal bleeding.
Don't take your symptoms lightly
“There is a tendency for young people to assume that they're young and healthy, and if they do have some symptoms, that it's something transient or not concerning,” said Andrew Chan, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and vice chair of gastroenterology at Massachusetts General Hospital.