A mysterious rise in colon cancer cases among middle-aged and younger Americans has scientists worried.
The data shows that diagnoses in people under the age of 55 have almost doubled in 25 years. They account for about a fifth of all diagnoses today, up from 11 percent in 1995.
The American Cancer Society has also warned that more cases will be diagnosed when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body where it is more difficult to treat.
Experts aren’t sure what’s behind the shift, but unhealthy diets, alcohol consumption and sedentary lifestyles are all responsible for the higher prices.
But that may not explain why other cancers have remained flat or at the same time continued to decline among those under 55, scientists say.
Actor Chadwick Boseman’s death from colon cancer in 2020 at the age of 43 brought more attention to the trend. He played the famous Black Panther in the blockbuster film Marvel.
The graph above shows how the number of cases of colorectal cancer in adults aged 20 to 49 has increased. Scientists say more than 40 percent of diagnoses occur in people between the ages of 45 and 49. The chart shows the number of colorectal cancer cases per 100,000 people in younger adults by stage
The graph above shows the number of colorectal cancer diagnoses in age groups over time. It shows a significant increase in diagnoses among 20 to 49-year-olds (top right) and a decrease among 50 to 54-year-olds (bottom left). The diagnoses still fall among those over 65 years of age. The terms localized, regional, distant and unstaged refer to the stage of the colon cancer that has been diagnosed
Actor Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer in 2020 at the age of 43. He played the famous Black Panther (pictured)
Data shows colorectal cancer diagnoses in people under 55 have nearly doubled in the past quarter century (stock photo)
President Joe Biden has pledged to halve the number of cancer deaths in the US over the next quarter century by allocating funds to diagnosis and treatment.
Colon and rectal cancer is the third most common type in the United States and the third leading cause of death in both men and women.
It is most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 65 and 74. Early warning signs include blood in the stool, abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss.
These are often overlooked in younger age groups, and doctors instead think they are warning signs of a disease other than cancer associated with older people.
Dr. Rebecca Segel, Senior Scientific Director of Endorsement Research at the American Cancer Society and lead author, said: “We know rates are increasing among young people.
READ MORE: Men can cut colon cancer risk by 20% by sticking to a diet full of vegetables and beans, study says
Women were also included in the study, but no connection was found between eating a lot of plant-based foods and a lower risk of cancer, which the scientists attributed to an overall higher risk of cancer in men.
“But it is worrying to see how rapidly the overall patient population is getting younger despite falling numbers in the general population.
“The trend towards more advanced disease in people of all ages is also surprising and should motivate everyone aged 45 and over to get screened.”
Dr. Kimmie Ng, director of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center in Boston, Massachusetts, told The Wall Street Journal, “I see so many young patients with very healthy lifestyles being diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer.
“There are other environmental pressures to look at.”
In a report released today, scientists warn that the rate of colon cancer in people age 50 and older nationwide is now nearly 60 per 100,000.
This compares with about 40 per 100,000 between 1975 and 1979, an increase of 50 percent in about 45 years.
About 43 percent of the diagnoses affected people between the ages of 45 and 49 years.
It is estimated that there will be 19,550 cases of colorectal cancer in people under the age of 50 this year – about one in seven of the 153,000 total cases expected.
There is also an increase in the number of advanced colon cancers being detected in all age groups.
About 60 percent of the diagnoses were advanced in 2019, data indicate.
For comparison: in the mid-2000s it was 52 percent and in 1995 it was 57 percent.
Colorectal cancer is more common in men, with a 33 percent higher rate in the group (41.5 cases per 100,000) than in women (31.2 per 100,000).
A cancer screening is offered every ten years to check for signs of growth.
In 2021, the eligibility age was lowered from 50 to 45 due to the increase in cases among younger adults.
However, data shows that only about 20 percent of the youngest age groups go on dates. By comparison: around 67 percent of 50 to 75-year-olds participate in the tests.
Data shows that about 64 percent of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are alive about five years after diagnosis.
However, if the cancer is detected at an early stage, this rises to 91 percent. If it has only spread to surrounding tissues or organs, the survival rate is 72 percent.
Colon cancer is often difficult to diagnose because there are no symptoms specific to the disease.
Add to that the fact that many clinicians believe young people don’t get colon cancer, which means they’re unlikely to look for the disease.
Colon cancer is usually treated with surgery to remove the cancerous growth.
In cases where it has spread, radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be recommended to patients.
The ACS estimates that about 153,000 cases of colorectal cancer will be detected this year, including 19,500 in those under 50 years old.
About 52,550 people are expected to die from the disease.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
