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Specialists argued that the rate for developing colon and rectal cancer has dramatically increased in the last few years.
STATES CHRONICLE – Researchers intend to raise awareness by sharing useful information regarding colon and rectal cancer, its symptoms and how people could prevent it. Stephanie Breit was 28 when she started experiencing the symptoms of colon cancer. The doctors who have examined her have stated that she was too young to suffer from such a terrible disease. When she reached the age of 33, Stephanie decided to make an appointment to a gastroenterologist because her symptoms did not disappear.
Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the US
She was scheduled for a colonoscopy, but she canceled it when she received fantastic news, finding out that she was pregnant. Unfortunately, the symptoms did not go away. Thus, in 2015, when she was 39 years old, she needed the help of specialists to determine what caused her those terrible symptoms. Sadly, she was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.
Unfortunately, Stephanie Breit is one of many young people who is diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year. On February 28, scientists reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute that the number of colon cancer cases has been growing in recent years. Researchers claim that the incidence of colon cancer has been going up from 1% to 2.4% per year since the 1980s, affecting adults with ages between 20 and 39.
The risk for colon and rectal cancer has increased for those born in the 1990s
The number of cancer cases has increased from 0.5% to 1.3% in the 1990s for those with ages between 40 and 54. Researchers also stated that the rate of rectal cancer has been growing faster. Specialists claim that people who were born in the 1990s indicate a double risk of developing colon cancer and four times the risk of having rectal cancer compare to those who were born in the 1950s.
Dr. Cedreck McFadden, a colorectal surgeon at Greenville health System, stated that he and other colleagues of his had noticed these changes in their practices. He argued that he had cases in which the patients were as young as 27 years old and had colon cancer. However, he highlighted the fact the most increased number of colon cancer cases is found in older people.
Based on the data provided by the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer represents the third most common cancer in the United States. Unfortunately, researchers report that this year, they expect to diagnose approximately 95,520 colon cancer cases and 39,910 rectal cancer cases.
Image courtesy of: pixabay
