Colorectal cancer has long been thought of as a disease that mostly affects older adults. But that idea is changing.
More and more young people under 50 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and health experts around the world are becoming very concerned.
Public attention grew in 2020 when actor Chadwick Boseman died of the disease at age 43. His death brought focus to this growing problem and challenged the belief that only older people are at risk.
Now, as Colon Cancer Awareness Month shines a light on this trend, researchers are working to understand why this is happening. At the same time, better genetic testing is helping people find out their risk earlier and even prevent the disease in some cases.
A big international study published in The Lancet Oncology found that from 2013 to 2017, colorectal cancer in people under 50 went up in more than half of the 50 countries studied. This included countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Experts believe that these rising numbers are linked to changes in how people live today—less physical activity, eating more processed foods, and living in cities with more pollution and stress.
Eating habits are one of the biggest risk factors. Diets high in red and processed meats, sugary drinks, and packaged foods have been shown to raise the chances of getting colorectal cancer.
In Kazakhstan, for example, studies show people eat nearly twice the recommended amount of meat and not enough fish, which may be increasing cancer risks in that region.
Obesity also plays a role. Too much body fat can cause ongoing inflammation and harm how the body works. But scientists say the link between obesity and cancer is complex. In fact, many people with colorectal cancer lose weight before they are diagnosed, making it harder to rely on weight alone as a warning sign.
Genetics is another major factor, especially for young people. Some inherited conditions like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis can make a person much more likely to get colorectal cancer at a younger age. These genetic conditions are caused by changes in important genes that normally protect against cancer.
Unfortunately, early signs of colorectal cancer are often missed. Symptoms like changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, stomach pain, or unexplained weight loss can be mistaken for other issues.
That’s why doctors like Dr. Alexei Tsukanov stress the importance of genetic testing if someone has a family history of the disease. If a person has one of these inherited conditions, they can be watched closely and treated early, which greatly improves survival.
There are also new ways to detect the disease early. One example is a non-invasive stool test called COLOTECT®, which looks for changes in specific genes linked to colorectal cancer. These new tools are helping doctors catch the disease sooner, when it’s easier to treat.
But not everyone has equal access to testing. In some parts of Eastern Europe and Central Asia, not all countries have nationwide screening programs.
Some places rely on people getting tested only when they feel sick, which often means the cancer is found late. Experts like Jemma Arakelyan believe education is key. She says doctors and the public both need to understand how important early screening is.
Colorectal cancer is not just a disease of the elderly anymore. Younger people are being affected more and more, and unhealthy lifestyle habits are a big part of the problem. The good news is that there are steps we can take.
With more awareness, better eating habits, more exercise, genetic testing, and access to early screening, we can begin to turn the tide on this dangerous trend.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that artificial sweeteners are linked to higher cancer risk, and how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and results showing vitamin D supplements strongly reduces cancer death.
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