A concerning trend of rising colorectal cancer rates among younger age groups has been revealed in a new study, which will be presented at the upcoming Digestive Disease Week conference in Washington, D.C. The research focused on cases of the disease in children and adults ages 10 to 44, showing significant increases in diagnoses across all age groups.
According to the study, cases of colorectal cancer have been on the rise for decades among individuals too young for routine screening, with cases jumping by 500% in children ages 10 to 14. This trend is raising concerns among experts who are searching for answers as to why younger generations are increasingly being affected by the disease.
The causes of this concerning trend could be attributed to lifestyle factors or genetics, but regardless of the reasons behind it, the rising rates of colorectal cancer in younger age groups mean that individuals will likely carry a greater risk for the disease for the rest of their lives. This phenomenon is known as the birth cohort effect.
Symptoms of early onset colorectal cancer include changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and signs of anemia. Doctors recommend that individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer start getting screened 10 years before a sibling or parent was diagnosed.
Experts agree that the increases in colorectal cancer rates among younger generations are alarming and underscore the importance of awareness, early detection, and understanding family history. Routine screening is recommended every 10 years starting at age 45, but the findings of this study suggest that a closer look at screening guidelines may be necessary to address the rising rates of colorectal cancer among younger age groups.
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