Colorectal Cancer Incidence Increasing in Adults Under 50
14-Dec-2011
The incidence of colon and rectal cancer among adults under age 50 has increased by more than 2 percent per year in the past decade, according to findings recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine. This is in contrast to the decreasing rate of colon and rectal cancer in older adults.
At age 50, most people are advised to undergo colorectal cancer screening, usually with a colonoscopy. This recommendation is based on the knowledge that colon and rectal cancer is much more common after age 50. Thanks to this screening practice, colon and rectal cancer cases have been decreasing in this older age group.
In contrast, screening colonoscopy is not routine before age 50, and cancer may not be suspected in younger patients even when symptoms are present. As a result, younger patients are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced stage cancer, which is more challenging to treat.
An online article on WebMD summarizes the bottom line:
Experts say the message to patients is clear: “Just because you’re under 50 doesn’t mean you’re not at risk,” says Anthony Starpoli, MD, a gastroenterologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
“If you have a family history, go talk to your doctor,” Starpoli tells WebMD, especially if that relative got colon cancer before they were 50.
Click here to read the entire WebMD article.
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