If you traditionally thought colon cancer was an older person’s disease, it may be time to change your perspective.
Today, colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in adults under age 50. Alarmingly, it’s the deadliest cancer in men under age 50 and the second deadliest (after breast cancer) in women under 50.
What’s driving this disturbing trend, and how can younger adults protect their colon health? In this article, the team at Northwest Endoscopy Center will explore potential causes for the increase, early warning signs to watch for, and why experts now recommend that most adults should get their first colonoscopy at age 45.
Why are more younger people getting colon cancer?
The numbers tell a troubling story. Since 1994, colorectal cancer diagnoses have risen by 51%. What’s more, by 2030, researchers estimate that adults under age 50 will make up 11% of all colon cancer cases and 23% of all rectal cancer cases.
Unfortunately, pinpointing a single reason for the spike in colorectal cases among younger adults is not easy. Researchers suspect the cause could be one of these three factors:
1. Nutrition. Diets high in red meats and ultra-processed foods (such as chips, frozen dinners, and sugary soft drinks) may elevate the risk for early onset colon cancer. So, too, may excessive alcohol use. In contrast, a high-fiber diet filled with leafy green vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains is shown to help lower cancer risk. Experts recommend eating at least 30 grams of fiber a day.
2. Physical activity levels. Inactivity can lead to multiple health problems, including weight gain and chronic inflammation. These conditions can also trigger colon cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that adults aim for 30 to 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (walking, bicycling, canoeing, or yoga) five days a week. Additionally, studies have shown that individuals who are more physically active have a 19% lower risk for developing colon cancer vs. individuals who are less physically active.
3. Genes. In the past, researchers proved a link between a rare inherited condition called Lynch syndrome and elevated colorectal cancer risk. Now, new research from Johns Hopkins University is showing that a particular gene called HMGA1 could be a primary cause of colon tumor development, especially among younger people. If this finding holds true, it may open the door for therapies that can block HMGA1 and prevent colorectal cancer from forming.
Early colorectal cancer warning signs: what are they?
Colorectal cancer often shows no warning signs, which is another reason why people are getting diagnosed today at an earlier age. Younger people tend to put off going to the doctor until they feel symptoms. Yet most people with colorectal cancer won’t experience those symptoms until their cancer has already progressed to an advanced stage.
As colon and rectal cancer progresses, people may experience:
- Changes in the shape and quality of their stool. Pencil-shaped stools or constipation may indicate colon cancer. So, too, can dark brown or black colored stool, which may indicate the presence of blood. Other warning signs include constipation that lasts for a few days or a persistent feeling that you can’t fully empty your bowel.
- Abdominal pain, including cramps, gas, or bloating.
- Weight loss that happens without even trying.
- Tiredness or weakness that doesn’t resolve.
Even these symptoms, however, aren’t proof of colon cancer. Dark or bloody stools could also indicate the presence of hemorrhoids. Constipation or abdominal pain could be caused by other conditions that affect gut health. And unexplained weight loss or fatigue can point to a host of potential diseases.
One way to know for sure: Get your colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is the definitive test doctors will use to find out if you have colon cancer. Groups like the ACS and the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommend all adults at average risk for colorectal cancer to begin getting regular colonoscopies at age 45.
Unfortunately, not everyone is getting the message. Here in Idaho, only 33% of eligible adults are up to date on their colorectal screenings, ranking our state 48th in the U.S. according to the Cancer Data Registry of Idaho. Yet colorectal cancer is prevalent in our state. Nearly 3,400 malignant cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in Idaho between 2016 and 2020, and 1,318 deaths from colorectal cancer occurred statewide from 2017 and ‘21.
Yet getting routine colonoscopies is important because it’s the only way to both diagnose and treat cancer in the same procedure. During a colonoscopy test, a doctor uses a special camera to examine the inside of the colon and rectum for potential signs of cancer. Doctors can also remove any suspicious polyps for further investigation.
How do I know my personal risk for colon cancer?
Per the ACS, “Average risk” means you do not have:
- A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps
- A first-degree relative (parent, sibling, child) with colorectal cancer
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Chrohn’s disease.
- A confirmed or suspected hereditary cancer syndrome such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- A personal history of getting radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer
If you have any of these risk factors listed above, talk with your doctor and ask if you might benefit from having your first colonoscopy before age 45. And if you don’t know your family history, talk with your relatives and ask if they ever had colon cancer or signs of colorectal disease, such as pre-cancerous polyps.
Schedule a colonoscopy in North Idaho today
The good news: Getting a colonoscopy is easier and more comfortable than ever. Here in the Inland Northwest, you can find a colonoscopy near you at Northwest Endoscopy Center in Post Falls.
We’ve designed every part of the colonoscopy experience around your needs. You’ll receive treatment from an expert team that performs colonoscopies every day. You will stay in a private room before and after your procedure. Worried about colonoscopy prep? Don’t be. Our providers recommend a gentler prep using MiraLAX and Gatorade taken several hours apart, which is tastier than older preps and easier for most people to tolerate.
Are you due–or overdue–for your colonoscopy?
If you’ve hit your 45th birthday and haven’t had a colonoscopy yet, now is the best time to schedule one. Make an appointment today. Call Northwest Endoscopy Center at 208-262-2489.