Source: Fox News
Summary
According to a report by the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50. While rates of CRC have been declining among seniors, those 65 and under are facing a rise in diagnoses. Adults 65 and younger comprise nearly half (45%) of all new colorectal cancer cases, a significant increase from 27% in 1995. The disease is rising fastest among adults 20 to 49 years old, at a rate of 3% per year.
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The advice sounds familiar.
Colorectal cancer guidelines have been shifting in recent years, with the American Cancer Society recommending routine screenings starting at age 45. However, only 37% of eligible adults in this age group receive screenings. The report highlights the importance of early detection, with a five-year survival rate of 95% when the disease is caught at a local stage.
Rectal cancer is also on the rise, now accounting for about one-third (32%) of all CRC cases. Researchers are calling for increased funding for research to understand the cause of the uptick in disease and to develop new therapies.
High-risk behaviors, including lack of nutrition, high alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise, and obesity, are linked to more than half of CRC cases.
The report’s findings have been met with a sense of urgency, with experts emphasizing the need for eligible adults to begin screening at the recommended age of 45.
As the American Cancer Society’s Dr. William Dahut said, “These findings further underscore that colorectal cancer is worsening among younger generations and highlight the immediate need for eligible adults to begin screening at the recommended age of 45.”
Author: Evan Null
