It’s commonly accepted that as people live longer, so do their chances of getting a serious health condition like cancer. While that’s still true, the incidence of some forms of cancer has become increasingly common in younger adults. Perhaps none more so than colorectal cancer, which is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men under age 50 and second leading cause of cancer-related deaths for women in this age group.

In fact, since the mid-1990s the incidence of colon cancer in people under 50 has increased about 2 percent annually.

“The answer as to why this is happening is not 100 percent clear,” says Shibu Oommen, MD, a gastroenterologist at the Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Plano medical staff. “Our western diets of processed foods, higher fat content and lower fiber content along with environmental exposures and alterations in our gut microbiome may play roles, but there’s no definitive answer.”

Stress, sedentary lifestyles and tobacco and alcohol use have also been tagged as potential contributors.

Control What You Can Control

The modern, tech-enabled lifestyle many younger adults lead may be contributing to the rise in colon cancer in this group. However, the advice to lower the risk of getting this type of cancer (any others) remains the same regardless of age:


Eat foods high in fiber like fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Limit red meat and processed food consumption opting in favor of leaner meats like fish and chicken.
Don’t smoke and limit drinking alcohol.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Get moving by taking a break from sitting throughout the day and getting regular exercise (even if it’s just walking).

Beyond these steps, Dr. Oommen strongly adds this advice, “Get screened no matter what modality is best for you.”

Getting Screened

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard in screening for colon cancer, as it allows gastroenterologists to identify and take tissue samples of any polyps in the colon to determine if they’re cancerous. Due to the rising rates of colon cancer in younger adults, the recommended age to get an initial screening colonoscopy for those at average risk has been lowered from 50 to 45. However, colonoscopy isn’t the only test available. Cologuard and fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) are non-invasive screening tools that can be considered as an alternative to colonoscopy in average risk patients.

“Certain genetic syndromes such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome would require even earlier screening, or if there’s a family history of colon cancer,” explains Dr. Oommen.

The Sooner The Better

Beyond getting routine recommended screenings, Dr. Oommen advises adults young and old not to dismiss certain symptoms. Instead, it’s best to schedule a visit with their primary care provider or a gastroenterologist.

“Unfortunately, with colon cancer, oftentimes there are no symptoms until disease is very advanced,” he explains. When symptoms such as blood in bowel movements, persistent abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss do appear, it’s critical to move fast to find the cause.

Earlier detection allows for more effective treatment options, which is something people of any age can get behind.

Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health.