Colon cancer rising in younger adults as early symptoms are missed

Some reasons why colon cancer is rising in younger people are due to the lack of awareness of colon cancer symptoms, lack of screening, and ignoring early signs of colon cancer.

For decades, colon cancer was considered to be a disease that only affected older people, and rarely at that. It wasn't considered to be as common as breast cancer or lung cancer, either.

In recent years, though, it has become evident that colon cancer rates are increasing, particularly among younger people. Early-onset colorectal cancer, that is, the ones affecting people under the age of 50, is rising, and it is quite worrying.

As a result, rectal cancer now makes up nearly one-third (32% up from 27% in the mid‐2000s) of all colorectal cancer diagnoses, according to PR Newswire. Why is this happening, and what can we do to alleviate it?

Lack of Knowledge of Colon Cancer Symptoms

Do you know what the early signs of colon cancer are? Many younger people are unaware of the symptoms and ignore them to their detriment.

Young adults experiencing rectal bleeding may assume they have hemorrhoids (you can use a product like Uniroid HC rectal treatment ointment for this). Persistent stomach pain may be blamed on stress, diet, or irritable bowel syndrome. Fatigue is commonly dismissed as burnout or lack of sleep.

Also, since colon cancer has always been associated with older people, younger folks assume it's not a disease that can affect them.

Any major bowel changes, and especially blood in the stool or any kind of rectal bleeding, must be documented and reported to your medical professional, so they can make a diagnosis. Do not try to self-diagnose in this case.

Ignoring Early Signs of Colon Cancer

Several colon cancer symptoms should never be ignored, regardless of age. Common red flags include:

• Blood in the stool
• Ongoing abdominal pain or cramping
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic fatigue
• Iron-deficiency anemia
• Lasting changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation

If you have any of these symptoms, even if they are mild or they come and go, it's better to go to a medical professional, get them looked at properly, and feel a sense of relief if there's nothing untoward going on. Ignoring these symptoms can result in the cancer getting worse and worse, and eventually, it will be too late to do anything about it. 

Increasing Factors That Contribute to Colon Cancer Symptoms

Researchers are unsure why younger people are becoming more prone to colon cancer as time goes on. It never used to be an illness that affected younger people, but now it is. Some factors that could be causing this change are:

• Diets high in ultra-processed foods
• Sedentary lifestyles
• Obesity
• Alcohol use
• Changes to the gut microbiome
• Long-term effects of antibiotic exposure
• Environmental chemicals

As you can see, it's quite a diverse list of factors, but if you live a healthy lifestyle and eat a healthy diet, a lot of these factors wouldn't apply to you. The importance of a balanced diet with natural ingredients, regular exercise, and reducing alcohol and drug use cannot be overemphasized, for anyone at any age.

Genetics plays a role in some cases, particularly in families with inherited syndromes like Lynch syndrome, but most younger patients diagnosed with colon cancer do not have a known hereditary condition.

Lack of Screening for Younger People

Even though more people are becoming aware of colon cancer symptoms and their effect on younger people now, it's still not common to perform colon cancer screenings for younger people.

Routine colon cancer screening was traditionally recommended beginning at age 50, although several medical organizations now advise average-risk adults to begin at 45 because of the growing number of early cases. Younger adults below the screening age often only receive testing after symptoms become severe or persistent.

The problem with later screenings is that the cancer advances to a later stage and isn't discovered in time.

Lack of Public Awareness of Colon Cancer

Public awareness is slowly improving, fueled in part by high-profile cases and personal stories shared online. Some users describe months or years of unexplained bleeding, bowel changes, or abdominal pain before further testing uncovered cancer or precancerous polyps.

It's imperative that medical professionals start educating clients about the symptoms of colon cancer to improve awareness and also set up cancer screenings for younger people who might be at a higher risk of colon cancer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Early Detection of Colon Cancer Improve Survival Rates?

Absolutely. That's one reason why catching colon cancer symptoms early is so important. If patients can detect the early signs of colon cancer quickly, visit a medical professional, and get diagnosed sooner rather than later, their chances of survival improve drastically.

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers because precancerous polyps can often be identified and removed before they become dangerous. Awareness of symptoms, family history, and risk factors can make a life-saving difference.

What Steps Can You Take to Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer?

As with all cancers, living a healthy lifestyle, avoiding processed foods, exercising regularly, and reducing alcohol usage will all help reduce the risk of colon cancer. If you have a family history of colon cancer, getting regularly screened is extremely important.

Even if you are afraid of the diagnosis of cancer, getting diagnosed gives you more treatment options. Do not reduce your lifespan by avoiding going to the doctor. It's not worth it.

Colon Cancer Awareness Among Younger People Needs to Increase

As colon cancer continues rising in younger adults worldwide, the message from doctors is increasingly clear: being young does not make someone immune. Persistent digestive symptoms should not be ignored, and advocating for timely medical evaluation could save lives.

If you are worried you might have colon cancer or if you have any symptoms outlined above, visit a medical professional ASAP. There's no time to waste; every second counts when it comes to treatment and diagnosis.

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This article was prepared by an independent contributor which helps us continue delivering quality content to our audiences.