Mystery of colon cancer epidemic among young people in America
A mysterious spike in colon cancer cases among middle-aged and younger Americans is alarming scientists.
Data shows that diagnoses in people under 55 have nearly doubled in 25 years. They now make up about a fifth of all diagnoses compared to 11 percent in 1995.
The American Cancer Society also warned that more cases are 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 rates.
But this may not explain why other cancers have remained flat or continued to tumble at the same time in those under 55, scientists say.
The death of actor Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer in 2020 at the age of 43 drew more attention to the trend. He played the famous Black Panther in the blockbuster Marvel movie.
The graph above shows how the number of colon cancer cases has increased in adults aged 20 to 49 years. Scientists say more than 40 percent of diagnoses occur in people between the ages of 45 and 49. The graph shows the number of colon cancer cases per 100,000 people in younger adults by stages
The graph above shows the number of colon cancer diagnoses in age groups over time. It shows a marked increase in the number of diagnoses among people 20 to 49 years old (top right) and a decrease in the number among 50 to 54 year olds (bottom left). Diagnoses continue to fall among the over-65s. The terms localized, regional, distant, and unstaged refer to the stage of colon cancer that was diagnosed
Actor Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer in 2020 at the age of 43. He played the famous Black Panther (pictured)
Data shows that colon cancer diagnosis has nearly doubled in people under 55 over the past quarter century (stock photo)
President Joe Biden has pledged to halve cancer deaths in America over the next quarter century by funneling funding toward diagnosis and treatment.
Cancers of the colon and rectum are the third most common type in the US and the third leading cause of death for both men and women.
It is most commonly diagnosed in people ages 65 to 74. Early warning signs such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss.
These are often overlooked in younger age groups, with doctors instead thinking they are warning signs of a different disease rather than cancer associated with the elderly.
Dr. Rebecca Segel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author, said: ‘We know that rates are increasing in young people.
“But it is alarming to see how quickly the entire patient population is rejuvenating, despite the shrinking numbers in the overall population.
“The trend towards more advanced disease in people of all ages is also surprising and should motivate everyone 45 and older 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 a very healthy lifestyle who are diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer.
“There are other environmental exposures that need to be looked at.”
In a report published today, scientists warned that the rate of colon cancer in people aged 50 nationwide is now nearly 60 per 100,000.
In comparison, between 1975 and 1979, the rate was around 40 per 100,000, indicating a 50 percent increase in about 45 years.
About 43 percent of the diagnoses were in people 45 to 49 years old.
Estimates suggested 19,550 cases of colorectal cancer in people under 50 this year — about one in seven of the 153,000 expected overall.
There is also an increase in the number of advanced stage colon cancers being detected in all age groups.
About 60 percent of diagnoses were advanced in 2019, data suggested.
By comparison, it was 52 percent in the mid-2000s and 57 percent in 1995.
Colon cancer is more common in men, with the rate 33 percent higher in the group (41.5 cases per 100,000) compared to women (31.2 per 100,000).
Cancer screening is offered once every ten years to check for signs of growth.
In 2021, the age of eligibility was lowered from 50 to 45 years due to the increase in cases in younger adults.
But data shows that only about 20 percent of those in the youngest age groups go to appointments. By comparison, about 67 percent of those aged 50 to 75 participate in the tests.
About 64 percent of people diagnosed with colon cancer are still alive about five years after diagnosis, data shows.
But 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 specific symptoms for the disease.
This is compounded by the fact that many clinicians believe that young people do not get colon cancer, meaning they are unlikely to check for the disease.
Colon cancer is usually treated with surgery to remove the cancerous growth.
In cases where it has spread, patients may also be recommended to receive radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
The ACS estimates that about 153,000 cases of colorectal cancer will be discovered this year, including 19,500 among those under age 50.
About 52,550 people are expected to die from the disease.