March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and the message is that early screening can save your life. Although most people think this is a disease for old age, there’s been a significant uptick in cases of young adults, especially ages 18-35.
In the late 1980s, early screening tests, such as colonoscopies, began to be recommended on a large scale. Since then, colon and rectal cancers (CRC) have declined among older populations because of this practice.
However, CRC has been on the rise for young adults for the past fifteen years and doctors say even millenials and Gen Zers need to know the warning signs and risk factors. One in five colorectal cancer patients are between 20 and 54 years old.
“For someone born in the 1990s, they face twice the risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer and four times the risk of being diagnosed with rectal cancer compared with someone who was born in the 1950s,” said Dr. Nancy You from MD Anderson Cancer Center.
The Center for Disease and Control (CDC), now recommends colon cancer screenings to begin at age 45, instead of age 50 as in previous years. But younger people at risk would still be years away from their first routinely recommended screening colonoscopy. So, it’s important to be aware of any changes in your body and your risk factors at any age.
Why is colon cancer screening important?
The colon is the large intestine. The colon and rectum are parts of the digestive tract that help to process nutrients and eliminate waste. Colon cancer screening can find abnormal growths in this part of the body so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
Screening can also detect colon cancer early when treatment would be most effective.
Usually, there are no signs or symptoms when someone has colon cancer. This is why screening plays an important role. Colonoscopy is one example but there are several other tests available.
Early detection helps keep people alive and healthy. The majority of patients diagnosed early with colon cancer can be treated and will go on to live normal lives.
“Caught early, this cancer has an excellent prognosis, and screening has been shown to decrease incidence and mortality,” said Xavier Llor, MD, PhD, professor of medicine, Yale School of Medicine and medical director of Colorectal Cancer Prevention Program at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Yale Cancer Center.
Screening Types and Insurance Coverage
Colorectal cancer screening is a preventive service that the Health Insurance Marketplace and many other health plans are required to cover.
Although colonoscopies are often used for screening, there are other tests available that may be easier or less invasive for the patient. One example is Cologuard which is an at-home screening test. Your doctor can help you decide what is best for your needs.
Why the increase in younger people?
While the exact reason for the increase in risk is unknown, it may be due to several factors, including genetic links, environmental changes, and an increase in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
But people under 40 would be years away from their first routine screening based on the current CDC recommendations of age 45. So it’s important to be aware of any changes in your body and/or bowel movements that might need to be discussed with your doctor.
What are some common lifestyle risk factors for colon cancer?
- Family history of CRC
- A low-fiber diet; not enough fruit and vegetables
- Eating too much processed food or red meat, especially chargrilled
- Not enough regular physical activity
- Excessive alcohol
- Smoking
- Overweight and obesity
- Digestive conditions, such as Crohn’s Disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Note: If you are concerned about colon cancer, it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you understand your risk factors and recommend appropriate screening tests. Although colon cancer screening is recommended for people starting at age 45, but people with certain risk factors may need to begin screening at a younger age.
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