{"id":153363,"date":"2026-03-31T15:21:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T15:21:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/153363\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:21:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T15:21:07","slug":"colon-cancer-rising-in-young-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/153363\/","title":{"rendered":"Colon cancer: Rising in young adults"},"content":{"rendered":"

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and there\u2019s an important trend doctors want people to know about: colon cancer is being diagnosed more often in younger adults.<\/p>\n

For decades, colorectal cancer was considered a disease that mainly affected people over 50. Yet today, colorectal cancer cases are increasing in people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in people under 50.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile most cases of colon cancer still occur in older adults, the shift toward younger patients has prompted a growing call for awareness,\u201d says Laura Greco, MD<\/a>, colorectal surgeon at\u00a0MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper. \u201cMany people assume they\u2019re too young to worry about colorectal cancer, but the numbers tell a different story.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why Are Rates Increasing?<\/p>\n

Overall cancer death rates in people younger than 50 have dropped by 44% since 1990. Colorectal cancer is a notable exception.<\/p>\n

While researchers don\u2019t yet have a single clear explanation for the rise in early-onset cases, they believe several factors may be contributing, including:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Diets high in ultra-processed foods
\u2022\u00a0Low fiber intake
\u2022\u00a0Obesity
\u2022\u00a0Sedentary lifestyles
\u2022\u00a0Changes in the gut microbiome
\u2022\u00a0Possible links to antibiotic use<\/p>\n

Some studies have found that diets high in ultra-processed foods may increase the risk of precancerous polyps, especially in women. These polyps can develop into cancer over time if they\u2019re not found and removed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile we\u2019re still learning why rates are rising in younger adults, we know that diet, physical activity and overall gut health play a role. Small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a meaningful difference over time,\u201d says Dr. Greco.<\/p>\n

Experts also emphasize that while these factors may raise risk, colorectal cancer is complex, and not every case has a clear cause.<\/p>\n

When Should You Start Screening?<\/p>\n

Average-risk adults are advised to begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45. This can include:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0A colonoscopy every 10 years, or
\u2022\u00a0Stool-based tests annually or every three years, depending on the test.<\/p>\n

People with certain risk factors may need to start earlier, including those with:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
\u2022\u00a0Inflammatory bowel disease.
\u2022\u00a0Certain genetic conditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnowing your family history is key to determining when to start screening. For example, if a parent was diagnosed with colon cancer, you may need to begin colonoscopies 10 years earlier than their diagnosis or at age 40, whichever comes first. Talking with your doctor can help create the right screening plan for you,\u201d says Samuel Giordano, MD<\/a>, a gastroenterologist at Cooper University Health Care.<\/p>\n

There are several colon cancer screening options available, including at-home tests that use stool samples. However, colonoscopy remains the gold standard. The advantage of a colonoscopy is that it provides definitive results, and if polyps are found, they can be removed during the procedure \u2013 preventing cancer on the spot.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe advantage a colonoscopy has over the stool-based testing is that colonoscopy is the only preventative screening. Because every colon cancer starts as a polyp, getting a colonoscopy can both detect and prevent colon cancer by removing precancerous polyps before they have a chance to progress,\u201d says Dr Giordano.<\/p>\n

Symptoms to Watch For<\/p>\n

Early-stage colon cancer often causes no symptoms, which is why screening is so important.<\/p>\n

When symptoms do appear, they may include:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Persistent diarrhea or constipation
\u2022\u00a0Changes in bowel habits
\u2022\u00a0Discomfort or the urge to have a bowel movement when there is no need
\u2022\u00a0Abdominal pain or cramping
\u2022\u00a0Bloating
\u2022\u00a0Blood in the stool
\u2022\u00a0Rectal bleeding
\u2022\u00a0Unexplained weight loss
\u2022\u00a0Extreme fatigue
\u2022\u00a0Iron-deficiency anemia
\u2022\u00a0Change in appetite<\/p>\n

\u201cMany younger patients may notice abdominal cramping or changes in bowel habits and might think it\u2019s just part of everyday digestion. But if these symptoms don\u2019t go away, they need prompt evaluation. It\u2019s always better to get checked and be reassured than to wait,\u201d Dr. Giordano says.<\/p>\n

What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk<\/p>\n

While not all cases of colorectal cancer are preventable, healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce your risk:<\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0Eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber
\u2022\u00a0Limit ultra-processed meat
\u2022\u00a0Limit red meat
\u2022\u00a0Stay physically active
\u2022\u00a0Maintain a healthy weight
\u2022\u00a0Avoid tobacco
\u2022\u00a0Limit alcohol
\u2022\u00a0Stay up to date with screening<\/p>\n

\u201cMany people feel hesitant about screening because they\u2019re unsure what to expect. Our gastrointestinal team is dedicated to providing a safe, comfortable experience from start to finish. The most important step is simply starting the conversation with your doctor,\u201d Dr. Giordano says.<\/p>\n

Experts note that lifestyle changes, combined with screening, can provide the greatest protection.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough rates are rising, colorectal cancer remains one of the most preventable cancers at any age,\u201d Dr. Greco says. \u201cRegular screening can detect colon cancer and, when cancer is found early, it is often highly treatable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Delay Screening<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re 45 or older, talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer screening. If you have a family history of colon cancer or are unsure when you\u2019re due for your next screening, our team can help guide you. Call 856.536.1129 to make an appointment.<\/p>\n

If you are uninsured or underinsured, the MD Anderson at Cooper Cancer Outreach, Education and Screening Program can help. We can provide qualified individuals with free cancer screening services including colon, breast, prostate, lung, skin and cervical cancer screenings. For more information, call 856.968.7308 and talk to a member of our team.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and there\u2019s an important trend doctors want people to know about: colon…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":153364,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[49745,53243,40453,69,71,70,12738],"class_list":{"0":"post-153363","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-philadelphia","8":"tag-adult-health","9":"tag-colorectal-cancer","10":"tag-cooper-university-health-care","11":"tag-philadelphia","12":"tag-philadelphia-headlines","13":"tag-philadelphia-news","14":"tag-sponsored-content"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153363","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=153363"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/153363\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/153364"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=153363"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=153363"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=153363"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}