People under the age of 50 may not realise they should be concerned
Experts are sounding the alarm for people under 50 to be vigilant about colorectal cancer symptoms. Even though it was once considered an “old age” cancer, it’s now leading to a rise in fatalities among younger people.
Colorectal cancer, also referred to as bowel cancer, typically sees high diagnosis rates in individuals in their late 80s, according to Cancer Research UK. Young adults in affluent countries such as the US, Australia, and certain regions of Europe are increasingly falling victim to this trend.
The American Cancer Society has observed that while overall mortality rates from bowel cancer have been on the decline, deaths among patients under 50 have almost doubled since 1995. The precise cause of this uptick remains a mystery, but experts suspect it may be linked to three escalating factors: overlooked symptoms, contemporary lifestyles, and postponed diagnoses.
Often, bowel cancer in younger individuals isn’t caught until advanced stages, resulting in less favourable treatment outcomes. This issue might stem from a general lack of awareness among both healthcare professionals and patients.
Experts at News Medical have pointed out that symptoms such as rectal bleeding or abdominal pain might not prompt young adults to seek medical attention. Or they could be incorrectly diagnosed with conditions more commonly associated with their age group, like irritable bowel syndrome or haemorrhoids.
Other common symptoms that young people should be more aware of include:.
- A change in your normal bowel habit, such as looser poo, pooing more often or constipation.
- A lump that your doctor can feel in your back passage or tummy.
- A feeling of needing to strain in your back passage even after opening your bowels.
- Unexplained weightloss.
- Tiredness and breathlessness.
- Bowel obstructions which cause symptoms like cramping pains, feeling bloated, constipation and being sick.
Some countries have lowered the age for bowel cancer screenings from 50 to 45, although on the NHS it’s currently being lowered from 54 to 50. Late stage diagnoses have a five-year survival rate at around 14% while early diagnosis could bring this up to 91%.
Recent developments in screening tools and technologies could also improve its accessibility and accuracy. Bowel cancer is currently the third most diagnosed cancer in the world and the second leading cause of cancer-related death.
Meaning the threat young people are, for the most part, unknowingly facing could be dire. Cancer Research UK estimates around 54% of cases are preventable by changing your lifestyle and diet.
Diets high in red and processed meats and low in fibre, which includes the majority of Westernised diets, have been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer. Obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, excessive alcohol and even antibiotic consumption are also linked to an increased risk.
As reported by News Medical, experts are advocating for medical intervention to adapt and evolve in tandem with the cancer. This could involve earlier screening and detection strategies, with campaigns aimed at younger individuals from high-risk groups.
