Shahram Daneshgar MD / Oak Tree SurgicalCenter

5 Things Young People Need to Know About Colon Cancer By Jennifer L.W. Fink, RN, BSN Last Updated: June 3, 2019 Most people think of colon cancer as a disease that occurs in middle age and beyond. But rates of colorectal cancer are actually increasing in young adults. People born in 1990 now have twice the risk of developing colon cancer and quadruple the risk of rectal cancer compared to people born in 1950, according to the American Cancer Society. And recent data show 11%... of colon cancer diagnoses and 18% of rectal cancer diagnoses now occur in people under the age of 50. That’s why people of all ages need to be aware of colorectal cancer and their individual risk for it. These five facts can help you start the conversation with your doctor about colon cancer. 1 Colorectal cancer is highly treatable. doctor-with-hand-on-shoulder-of-smiling-patient Approximately 95% of cases are curable if caught early, according to the Susan Cohan Colon Cancer Foundation. Most forms of colon and rectal cancer are slow growing and begin as abnormal growths in the colon called polyps. Doctors can detect and remove polyps during a colonoscopy, an examination of the inside of the colon. Removing the polyps may prevent the development of cancer. Even colon cancer that has spread beyond the colon is treatable with surgery and chemotherapy. 2 Symptoms include a change in bowel habits. man holding stomach Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include diarrhea, constipation, or a narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days; blood in the stools or rectal bleeding; unintended weight loss; persistent abdominal pain, cramping or discomfort; and weakness or fatigue. It’s true that most of these symptoms can be caused by something other than cancer. But it’s best to get any unusual symptoms checked sooner rather than later. 3 Delay in diagnosis can be deadly. Man in hospital bed Stage 1 colorectal cancercancer which is caught at its earliest stagehas a 5-year survival rate of 92%. Stage 4 colorectal cancercancer that has spread to other parts of the bodyhas a 5-year survival rate of 11%. Unfortunately, people younger than age 55 are 58% more likely to be diagnosed with late-state colorectal cancer than older people, according to the American Cancer Society. Experts say this discrepancy may be because young people are not routinely screened for colon cancer.

https://mobile.nytimes.com//colon-and-rectal-cancers-risin

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