Colon cancer deaths rise as patients get younger

Key Points:

• Colon cancer is now the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., with an estimated 55,230 deaths expected this year, and it is increasingly affecting younger adults under 50.
• Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum, often developing from polyps that can be removed if detected early through screening, which is recommended for adults aged 45 to 75.
• Despite declines in incidence among adults 65 and older, colorectal cancer rates in those under 50 have increased by 1.8 times since 2000, with environmental factors and diet suspected contributors.
• Symptoms can include changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and anemia, but the disease often shows no symptoms until advanced stages, making regular screening crucial.
• Experts emphasize that colorectal cancer is largely preventable through screening, but late-stage diagnosis complicates treatment due to potential spread to organs like the lungs and liver.