Younger adults are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer at an alarming rate, with doctors seeing a significant increase in cases among those below 55 years old since the mid-1990s. Jessica Fox, a 44-year-old patient in Dayton, was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer in December 2022, despite having no symptoms until just days before her diagnosis.
Doctors are advocating for more research on potential causes of this trend, suggesting that diet and environmental factors may play a role. Risk factors speculated to contribute to the increase in cases include diets low in fiber and vegetables, high in processed food and red meat, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, and diabetes.
Early detection is crucial for higher cure rates, as colorectal cancer is highly treatable and survivable with early diagnosis. African Americans are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from it than other groups. Research into gut health and microbiomes in the digestive tract may provide insights into the increase in cases.
In response to her diagnosis, Fox has been advocating for more funding towards research and screenings for colorectal cancer. She recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to urge policymakers to prioritize this issue.
The World Health Organization estimates a significant increase in new colorectal cancer cases and deaths worldwide by 2040. In the U.S. alone, the American Cancer Society predicts over 106,000 new cases of colon cancer and over 46,000 new cases of rectal cancer in 2024.
While incidence rates have been dropping in older adults, the rates have been steadily increasing by 1-2% annually in those under 55 since the mid-1990s. It is important for younger adults to be aware of the risks and symptoms of colorectal cancer and to undergo regular screenings to catch the disease in its early stages.
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