Increased Risk of Colon Cancer Screening- What You Should Know
For young adults, colon cancer is usually not on the radar, so symptoms often are reduced when they first show up. In 2018, 71% of 1200 people and survivors at the age of 50, proved they are diagnosed at stage 3 or 4, according to a survey from the Colorectal Cancer Association. Therefore, going for colon cancer screening is absolutely essential.
Worldwide growing rates
Colorectal cancer will be diagnosed this year in the United States in around 18,000 people under 50 years of age, says Rebecca Siegel of the U.S. But the disorder is still relatively uncommon and affects just under 1% of younger adults.
Some groups were more influenced than others by the growing trend. For example, while people of all races may develop colorectal cancer at an early age.
Jeffrey K. Lee, M.D. from Kaiser Permanente Northern California, said the U.S. was not the only country facing an unprecedented increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer. In Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and parts of Europe and Asia, similar patterns have also been recorded. The number of cases in younger adults in most of these locations began to increase around 1995.
Colon Cancer Screening New Recommendations
As a consequence, the Guideline Creation Committee of the American Cancer Society revised its recommendations for colon cancer screening at the age of 45 because most of the people are at risk as stated in the previous guideline.
Although most people have been diagnosed late in the 30s, colonoscopy screening before age 45 is normally not recommended unless the condition has a clear family context or symptoms are encountered.
The latest Recommendations also specify that people at risk of colon cancer above average need to be screened before 45 years of age. Including those with increased colon cancer risk:
Colonic cancer family history or specific polyp types. A family history of the first degree (sibling, mother, or father) will double the chance of being ill.
A personal history with inflammatory bowel disorders, such as colitis ulcerative or Crohn's.
Documented family history for inherited colorectal cancer syndrome (FAP), caused by gene mutations to correct DNA replication errors or other inherited disorders, such as family adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
A medical history of abdominal or pelvic radiation for the treatment of previous cancer.
Visit Digestive Disease Specialist in OKC if you wish to go for colonoscopy screening without delay. Schedule your visit with us by giving us a call.
**Disclaimer: This blog content does not offer a doctor's advice and creates no relationship between any patient and care provider.
