With the recent deaths of Catherine O’Hara and James Van Der Beek, both suffering from colorectal cancer, health professionals are spotlighting how this disease is rising in young adults. According to a TIME report, “Today’s young adults are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer and four times as likely to be diagnosed with rectal cancer as those born around 1950.” One in five individuals diagnosed are now under the age of 55.
Often individuals present with symptoms that include abdominal pain, rapid weight loss, rectal bleeding and iron deficiency. Due to young age, these symptoms are often misattributed to other things, but when diagnosis is reached, an individual often has more advanced and aggressive tumors.
While there isn’t a clear answer as to why colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults, some health professionals point to an increasing rise of processed foods and sedentary lifestyles.
March is officially Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and recent celebrity deaths are only serving to bring this issue even more front-of-mind. Health professionals urge early detection as the prominent manner to combat the potential of this cancer emerging or progressing. Guidelines generally recommend scheduling regular screenings beginning at age 45 unless you have a family history or healthcare disparities that put you at a higher risk.
Given the nature of colorectal cancer, oftentimes individuals are embarrassed to talk about the issue, but the disease is often preventable or treatable if caught early. Know your body and recognize any drastic changes in bowel movement, inflammation and bleeding. Regular colonoscopies and stool tests are standard procedures to check for colorectal cancer and are often covered by insurance.
