AI Image
Colon cancer deaths rise as patients get younger
WBAL-TV • • 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 is the fourth most common cancer among men and women.
- Rates of colorectal cancer are rising among adults under 50, even as cases have decreased by half in those aged 65 and older since 2000.
- Experts emphasize that colorectal cancer is largely preventable through regular screening, recommended for adults aged 45 to 75, with earlier screening advised for those with specific risk factors like inflammatory bowel disease or family history.
- The increase in colorectal cancer cases among younger adults may be linked to environmental factors such as diet, food processing, and exposure to chemicals, though the exact cause remains unclear.
- Symptoms of colorectal cancer can include changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and anemia, but many cases show no symptoms, highlighting the importance of regular screening.
