A recent study has uncovered a concerning trend in the rise of colon cancer rates among younger generations, with diagnoses in teens skyrocketing by a staggering 500%, NBC News reports.
New Study Reveals Shocking Rise in Colon Cancer Among Youth
The study, led by Dr. Islam Mohamed, an internal medicine resident physician at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), shedding light on a worrying increase in colorectal cancer cases among individuals aged 10 to 44.
The findings, as reported by the NBC News, indicate that despite recommendations for routine screening starting at age 45, colorectal cancer rates have been steadily climbing for decades among those too young for regular screenings.
Dr. Mohamed's research, which will be presented at the upcoming Digestive Disease Week conference in Washington, D.C., stresses the urgency of addressing this emerging public health issue.
The data paints a stark picture: a 500% increase in colon cancer diagnoses among children aged 10 to 14 from 1999 to 2020, along with a more than 300% jump among 15- to 19-year-olds, and a 185% rise in cases among individuals aged 20 to 24.
The rising rates of colorectal cancer among younger people raise critical questions about potential causes. While genetics initially seemed a likely culprit, experts like Dr. Folasade May, an associate professor of medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles suggest that environmental factors may play a more significant role.
Factors such as the dietary habits, exposure to chemicals, and lifestyle choices could contribute to the alarming surge in diagnoses among teens and young adults.
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Fight CRC advocates gather at the Fight Colorectal Cancer "United in Blue" flag installation on the National Mall to spotlight the rise in young adult Colorectal cancer cases on March 12, 2024 in Washington, DC. Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images
Experts Warn of Alarming Increase in Teen Colon Cancer Diagnoses
Dr. Mohamed and Dr. May stress the importance of raising awareness about colorectal cancer symptoms and advocating for early screenings, especially for the individuals experiencing changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, or signs of anemia.
Moreover, understanding one's family history is crucial for early detection and prevention. Dr. Mohamed emphasizes the importance of knowing familial risk factors, as individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer should commence screenings 10 years before their relative's diagnosis.
Data from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance reaffirms the urgency of addressing this growing public health concern. The colorectal cancer remains one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States, with an estimated 152,810 new cases and 53,010 deaths projected for 2024.
Alarmingly, about 10% of these cases occur in individuals under 50, making it the deadliest cancer among young men and the second deadliest among young women.
