An expert has warned about an “embarrassing” reason colon cancer is more deadly among young people as cases ‘sky-rocket’ among that demographic....CONTINUE READING
Cases of colon cancer among the under-40s are expected to double by 2030, according to experts and colorectal cancer as a whole is showing a similar trend, which one expert described as “alarming”.
Around 153,000 colorectal cancer cases are likely to be detected this year, according to the American Cancer Society. Around 19,500 of these prospective patients are under the age of 50.
Dr Katrina Pedersen, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Medical Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, explained to Mirror how young people are putting off getting crucial tests done.
With the disease hitting patients in some of their most sensitive areas and with a lot of stigma around this form of cancer, the sometimes fatal disease is going undetected.
A 3D illustration showing malignant tumour in the intestine She frankly explained that people “don’t want to talk about poop, so sometimes they’re embarrassed to ask” when symptoms appear.
She added: “Young people are not retired, they’re working, they have obligations so they’ll push aside concerns for a lot longer and won’t necessarily seek medical care.
“A number of our patients don’t have insurance so there’s that cost limitations. So they’re uninsured and so won’t be able to seek care for monetary reasons.”
Dr Pedersen was particularly keen to get people talking about this form of cancer. Especially in the face of “sky-rocketting rates” among young people.
She explained: “People don’t have friends who have had this, so they don’t always recognise the warning signs and they don’t recognise when things are a problem. ”
An embarrassment about poop could be behind the lack of awareness of colorectal problems among young people. Dr Pedersen explained there were four key symptoms to look out for.
She said: “Up to two years prior to diagnosis, the vast majority had at least one of these symptoms. Unexplained anaemia (so low red blood cells), unintentional weight loss, stool changes – usually the calibre of the stool gets more narrow or the frequency becomes different.
People notice that usually they can pass a bowel movement fine but then straining is involved. “Bleeding as well. You don’t always see the blood with the naked eye. It can be especially difficult in this population because menstruating women could have anaemia because of their monthly period. ”
The age people should get their first routine test for colorectal cancers has been lowered to 45. Despite this many people get to that age and don’t get the test.
Experts are split on the cause of this surge in cases among young people. Changes in diet is one of the leading reasons suggested by scientists.
Dr Katrina Pederson has shared advice. Dr Pedersen said: “There’s unequivocal data across a number of cancers that ultra processed foods, which honestly is most foods that come in a package these days, are contributing to bowel cancers.
“If you think about the diets of people in the 50s and 60s compared to those now.” Another suggested theory is the increased numbers of C-Sections being carried out in maternity hospitals.
The good doctor explained: “The argument is that the baby doesn’t pass through the vaginal canal. That they are not getting that early microbiota exposure as they pass through the vaginal canal. There’s bacteria there whereas in a surgical incision there shouldn’t be any…CONTINUE READING>>
