Why colorectal cancer deaths surge in young adults
Dr. Carlo La Vecchia, professor of medical statistics and epidemiology at the University of Milan and lead author of the study, highlighted that being overweight or obese, along with related conditions like hyperglycemia and diabetes, are the primary contributors to this rise in bowel cancer deaths. Additionally, increased alcohol consumption, particularly in central and northern Europe and the UK, combined with reduced physical activity, has further exacerbated the problem.
The study also found that alcohol consumption has been linked to early-onset bowel cancer, which is often more aggressive and lethal than the cancer diagnosed in older adults.
In the U.S., colorectal cancer diagnoses among adults under 50 began increasing in the mid-1990s, with death rates rising shortly thereafter. The rise has been most pronounced among white individuals, while the impact on Black or Asian populations has been less significant, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute.
Colorectal cancer, once the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in men and women under 50 in the late 1990s, is now the leading cause of cancer death among men in this age group and the second-leading cause among women, reports the American Cancer Society.
A 2017 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that Millennials—those born between 1981 and 1996—are at double the risk of developing colorectal cancer compared to Baby Boomers born in 1950. Furthermore, individuals under 55 are nearly 60% more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage colorectal cancer, making treatment and survival more challenging.
Other factors potentially contributing to the rise in colorectal cancer cases include smoking, low-fiber diets, high-fat diets, excessive consumption of processed meats, inflammatory bowel disease, and genetic predisposition.
In response to these alarming trends, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended in 2021 that colorectal cancer screenings begin at age 45, down from the previous starting age of 50. Those with risk factors, including a history of inflammatory bowel disease, certain types of polyps, or family history, may need to be screened earlier.
Experts from Yale Medicine and University of California Davis Health advise that individuals, both young and old, should watch for signs of colorectal cancer and report any concerning symptoms to their healthcare provider. Symptoms to watch for include:
Rectal bleeding or blood in the stoolUnusual stool appearance, such as black, narrow, thin, or ribbon-like stools
A prolonged change in bowel movements, including diarrhea or constipation lasting two or more weeks
A feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
Unexplained weight loss
Abdominal cramping or pain
Weakness and fatigue, which may be caused by anemia from blood loss
To reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, experts recommend the following lifestyle changes:
Quit smoking, including e-cigarettesLimit alcohol consumption to no more than two drinks a day for men and one drink per day for women
Engage in regular physical activity
Lose weight if overweight or obeseIncrease fiber intake to 25 grams per day, primarily from fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes.
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