Colorectal Cancer Is Rising Among the Young, Even Kids and Teens
A new study reveals that colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting younger people, including children and teens. Researchers found that these cases often present as aggressive, advanced tumors without a family history of the disease.
Why it matters
The rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer represents a growing public health concern that challenges traditional screening guidelines.
Colorectal cancer is increasingly becoming a bigger problem for younger people, even children and teens. Research out today shows that these latter cases are stranger than the cancers seen in adults.
Researchers studied the medical records of people under the age of 21 who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Younger people usually had no family history of cancer, they found, and commonly had aggressive, advanced tumors. Though the overall risk of colorectal cancer remains small among adolescents, doctors should suspect it more often in those with potential symptoms that have no other explanation, the researchers say.
Scientists have noticed an unusual pattern in colorectal cancer as of late. While the incidence and mortality of this cancer has been steadily shrinking for people over 65, it’s instead been rising for people ages 50 and younger.
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