Colon Cancer Cases in Young Adults are Rising

 

Colon or rectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in adults ages 20 to 49 and rates are continuing to increase. Colon cancer that develops in people under age 50 is referred to as early-onset colorectal cancer.

People with early-onset colorectal cancer tend to have more aggressive and more advanced cancer than older adults.

Colon cancer is called sporadic when it develops in people without inherited gene mutations linked to cancer.

A combination of genetics and lifestyle habits can contribute to developing colon cancer. About 70% of colorectal cancers are sporadic, 25% are caused by inherited genes, and about 5% are linked to inherited syndromes such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis.

Most colorectal cancer in young people seems to be sporadic. Multiple factors linked to lifestyle changes over the past 30 years likely play a role.

Obesity is one of the most established risk factors for colorectal cancer. For example, in a 2018 study, researchers found that women with obesity had a 20% higher risk of early-onset colorectal cancer than women without obesity.

In a study from 2017, researchers found that excess body fat in early life, defined as under the age of 30, was associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. It was thought that inflammatory molecules produced by fat tissue called cytokines and chronically high insulin levels could contribute to cancerous changes in the colon. 

Diabetes has also been consistently found as a risk factor for colorectal cancer and likely contributes to the development of early-onset colorectal cancer. 

In a 2020 study, researchers found that men and women with diabetes reached the same level of risk for colorectal cancer at age 45 as people without diabetes at age 50.

Some of the major risk factors may include:

• Excess body weight,
• High body fat at an early age
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Alcohol use
• Low levels of physical activity          

Diets high in fiber, dairy, fruits, vegetables, fish, beta-carotene, vitamins C, E and D, and folate seem to be associated with a lower risk of colorectal cancer:

Colorectal cancer symptoms often mimic those of other gastrointestinal conditions such as Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome. However, as the condition progresses, symptoms worsen.

Common early signs and symptoms can include:

• abdominal pain
• rectal bleeding
• diarrhea
• iron deficiency anemia

If the cancer spreads to other locations, it may cause:

• bone pain
• jaundice
• shortness of breath

Even though you cannot always prevent colon cancer, some ways you might be able to lower your risk include:

• Increasing your physical activity levels
• Maintaining a healthy body weight 
• Eating a diet low in animal fats and high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables
• Limiting alcohol consumption
• Avoiding tobacco

It is important to visit your doctor if you develop unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms such as pain or blood in your stool without a known cause. Colon cancer has the best outcomes when it is caught in the early stages.