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Colon cancer deaths rise as patients get younger
KOCO • • health
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 the fourth most common cancer among men and women.
- While risk increases after age 45, colorectal cancer rates are rising among people under 50, making it the leading cause of cancer deaths in this younger age group.
- Regular screening, recommended for adults aged 45 to 75, can prevent colon cancer by detecting and removing polyps before they become cancerous; earlier screening is advised for those with certain medical or family histories.
- The incidence rate of colorectal cancer has decreased by half in adults 65 and older since 2000 but has increased 1.8 times among adults under 50 during the same period.
- Symptoms include changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss, but many cases do not show symptoms early, highlighting the importance of routine screening.
