Colon cancer rates rise in those under 50
Colorectal cancer rates are on the rise for those under the age of 50, according to the National Cancer Institute’s Annual Report to the Nation. Colorectal cancer rates for those over the age of 50 are on the decline, as are rates for many other forms of cancer. However, the study, which featured a special section on trends in colorectal cancer, found surprising results when they examined the rates of new diagnosis in a variety of demographics.
According to the report:
Rates of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer have decreased for men and women in all racial/ethnic groups examined except American Indian/Alaskan Native women. Incidence rates declined most rapidly among men and women over 65 years of age and increased most rapidly in people under age 50 in most population groups.
Dr. Jennifer Ashton discussed the findings on a recent edition of the CBS Morning Show. She suggested that the rise in colon cancer rates for those under fifty may be due to the fact that these individuals are less likely to have screening colonoscopies, which could detect pre-cancerous polyps. She also emphasized that for this particular age group, diet and exercise are even more important for the purposes of cancer prevention.
A study released in 2006 suggested that screening recommendations for colon cancer should include those aged 40 and over. The research conducted at Columbia University Medical Center found that people get as many colon polyps in their 40′s as they do in their fifties. Polyps, which can be removed during a colonoscopy, can become malignant if left in the colon. Study author Alfred I. Neugut, MD, PhD discussed his results with Webmd.com. When asked if screening should begin at age 40, he replied, “”It does take 10 years for a polyp to turn into cancer. So if people had screening in their 40s, maybe you would not see cancers in people in their 50s.”
Despite the concerns about cancer in those under the age of 50, the National Cancer Institute report predicted optimistic trends for colon cancer the future. The authors predict that if Americans adopt healthier lifestyle habits , improve their use of screening procedures, and if treatment of the disease continues to improve, there could be an reduction in colon cancer mortality by 50 percent by 2020.
It is interesting that CBS -Dr.Ashton reported on the Colon Cancer increase in people under 50.The other networks,NBC/ABC/CNN talked about the decrease in Colon Cancer.It is like –Half glass full vs.half glass empty anology.
Katie Couric of CBS who lost her husband to Colon Cancer really read the full report–and thus reported on the RISE among people under 50-along with over 50 group.
She pointed that COLONOSCOPY is SAVING LIVES–and could SAVE MORE if COLONOSCOPY is done for higher % of people.She also mentioned that people under 50 should consider COLONOSCOPY after discussing with their Gastroenterologist.For example Dr.Tarun Mullick found Colon Cancer for a person of 29 years.Lucky that it was caught in time.
Recently I was talking to Dr.Jerome Cohen of Binghamton,NY.He advises colonoscopy in special cases also.His comment was “Better Safe than Sorry”–if there is an issue for younger people.If results show NO Polyps or Cancer–then the doctors can look for other causes of pain.
This jives with a woman who was a guest on Dr.OZ Show–who had problems–for 10 years.Doctors tried everything(neurological) and other treatments.Accidently she discovered that she felt better –with restricted diet–as part of a SHOW-in Australia.That led her to try GLUTEN free diet–WOW–she felt better.It turned out to be CELIAC disease.SHE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT HER EXPERIENCES.
Nutrition/Physical exercise is key to reducing COLON CANCER.My hunch:Besides Genes, bad diet/ lack of physical exercise is impacting in Colon Cancer data for people under 50.
I think that colonoscopys need to be done at an earlier age I lost my husband at age 42 and he was very healthy aside from this it has been a year and three months and I have met 4 other people that have lost loved ones at the same age 42 that tells me that 50 is to late so what can we do to get the age lowered to at least 40
It is to late for my family my children of 5 and 3 will grow up with out a daddy but if there is something that I can do to prevent someone eles from going throu what my family did I will do it Let me know what I can do
thanks,
Kimberly Mujicca
Without colon-rectal screening in folks over 50 resulting in removal of pre-cancer polyps, I suspect incidence of colon cancer after age 50 would also be increasing. In general folks that consume the most fructose molecules get the most colon cancer. Of course there are other factors but get screened and avoid fructose.