Colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults: What you need to know
Awareness around colorectal cancer has expanded significantly in recent years, thanks to ongoing education campaigns and increased conversations about risks at all ages. Once considered a condition that primarily affected older adults, colorectal cancer is now recognized as a growing concern among younger people as well.
In fact, new research underscores just how serious this trend has become. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths among people younger than 50 in the United States, according to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association. While overall cancer mortality in this age group has dropped by 44% since 1990, deaths from colorectal cancer have risen — increasing about 1% every year since 2005. This shift highlights the urgent need for year-round awareness, early detection and timely screening.
Colorectal cancer: 3 quick facts to know
1. Incidence
Each year, about 150,000 people are newly diagnosed with colorectal cancer, which makes the disease the third most common cancer in the United States.
2. Risk factors
While anyone can get colorectal cancer, certain factors can increase a person's risk. Some of these, such as lifestyle behaviors, can be controlled, while others can't. Risk factors for colorectal cancer include:
- Smoking and alcohol use
- Being overweight or obese
- Being sedentary without regular exercise
- Eating certain processed foods or red meats in excess
- Personal or family history of colon cancer or polyps
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Certain genetic changes, such as Lynch syndrome
- Certain backgrounds, such as being an African American or an Ashkenazi Jew
3. Symptoms
Symptoms of colorectal cancer can resemble other common problems. Some signs of the condition include new changes in your bowel habits (like diarrhea or constipation), blood in the toilet bowl, pain in the stomach area and unexplained weight loss. If you have any of these concerns, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor.
However, not all colorectal cancers will cause symptoms early, which is why medical screening is the best early detection tool.
When and how often to get screened for colorectal cancer
According to current medical guidance, the latest age when a person should start screening for colorectal cancer through stool-based testing or visual exams is 45 years old.
- A colonoscopy every 10 years
- A fecal immunohistochemistry test (FIT) annually
- A FIT-DNA test (also known as the stool DNA test) every one to three years
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years and annual FIT
- Other options your doctor may recommend
If you have close family members who have been diagnosed with colorectal or adenomatous polyps at an early age, you may need to have regular colonoscopies starting either at age 40 or when you're 10 years younger than your relative was when they were diagnosed. For example, if your parent had polyps detected at 45, your screening age might be 35.
However, these recommendations can be complicated and may vary widely based on your situation. Check with your primary care doctor to determine what would be best for you so you can get timely and medically appropriate screenings as well as any genetic testing you might need to watch for colorectal and other cancers.
Prevention guidance to keep in mind
Many cancers are closely associated with lifestyles and behaviors like diet and exercise, but the links between unhealthy habits and colorectal cancer specifically are quite strong. In fact, one theory about why the incidence of colorectal cancer is up among young people is lifestyle-related: American diets and fitness levels have increasingly become unhealthy over the past several decades.
Because your risk for colorectal cancer goes up with age, you can help create cancer-prevention habits early with a few simple changes, such as eating a balanced diet, getting more physical activity and quitting smoking if you're a smoker.
These tips may not eliminate your risk, but they could help lower it, and someday, that could make all the difference.
Take charge of your health
Parkridge Health System makes it easy to schedule the screenings you and your loved ones need. Visit our website to learn more or book an appointment.
If you’re unsure which screenings are right for you or have a health concern, our Consult-A-Nurse® service is here to help. Call (844) 70-NURSE (844-706-8773) any time — day or night — to speak with a licensed nurse for free. They can answer medical questions, help you understand symptoms, and guide you to the right care or screening options. Expert advice is just a call away.