It's time to change the way we think of colon cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, compared to other cancers, colon cancer is "fairly common." Colon (and rectum) cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Typically, however, colorectal cancer has been viewed as a disease of older adults. Case in point, screening is recommended only for those older than 50.
Although the overall rate of colon cancer has dropped on average 2.7% each year over the last decade, there is a new trend emerging. Colon cancer patients are getting younger and younger. Recent study data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that the younger-than-50 group has seen a rise in colon cancer rates.2 What's more alarming is that 58% of people younger than age 55 are more likely to get a diagnosis at an advanced stage! These younger patients are more likely to receive radiation therapy or surgery than older patients.
How could this be? Initially, many scientists found this hard to believe. In fact, many attributed it to an improvement in earlier detection through screening (which would actually be good news). This would mean the rise is not due to increased disease but simply to more detection. The study, however, shows that the rise is not only in detection and diagnosis but also in deaths from colorectal cancer. 2
The death rate for colorectal cancer in young and middle-aged adults ages 20 to 54 increased by 1% each year from 2004 to 2014.2 From the 1970s to the 1990's, the death rate was actually decreasing by almost 2% each year. 2 Is diagnosis being delayed too often? Are younger people less likely to think about colon cancer screening and risk? Are primary care physicians less likely to attribute complaints of symptoms to other, more common problems and digestive issues?
Know the Symptoms
Although colon cancer screening is recommended for those over 50, if you have a family history of colon cancer, earlier screening may be beneficial.
It also may help to be familiar with the most common signs and symptoms you should look out for, even if you are a young person. These include a change in bowel habits (such as constipation, diarrhea, narrowing of the stool that lasts for several days), rectal bleeding, bloody stools (dark-colored), cramping, abdominal pain, unintended weight loss, or a feeling that a bowel movement is needed but not relieved when doing so.
Reduce the Risk
The good news is that colon cancer is largely preventable with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
As we all know, the GI tract is responsible for digesting food and absorbing its nutrients. It comes as no surprise, then, that nutrition always comes up when on the topic of colon cancer. After all, doesn't it make sense that the foods you choose to eat could impact your risk for colon cancer?
A recent large research review found that the top best ways to reduce colon cancer risk include regularly eating whole grains, regularly exercising, and limiting processed meats and alcohol.
A report from the World Cancer Research Fund International and the American Institute for Cancer Research says that 3 servings per day of whole grains may reduce colon cancer risk by as much as 17%.3 Increasing servings of whole grains above that may provide even more protection from cancer risk.
Equally important are high-fiber fruits and vegetables. Each day, aim to eat 8 to 10 servings of fruit and veggie of varied colors. While that range may seem dauting at first, this only translates to about 4 to 5 cups. Making a simple rule or habit, such as always having 1 cup of veggies for lunch and dinner or 1 piece of fruit with each meal or snack are easy ways to meet that need by the end of the day.
EnergyFirst's Greenergy packs the equivalent of 5 servings of nutrient and fiber-rich vegetables into each scoop.
References
1. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html
2. JAMA. 2017;318(6):572-574. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.7630
3. Mozes, A. (2017, September 07). Here's the Recipe to Keep Colon Cancer at Bay. Retrieved October 28, 2017, from https://consumer.healthday.com/cancer-information-5/colon-cancer-news-96/here-s-the-recipe-to-keep-colon-cancer-at-bay-726304.html