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Colon cancer cases have increased by 2% per year in younger people since 2011.
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GI oncologist Dr. James Cleary shared common signs and symptoms to watch for.
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If you have two of these symptoms at the same time, you should have a colonoscopy, he said.
Colorectal cancer It is increasing among young people, but detecting it early increases the chances of a full recovery. This means it’s crucial to know the symptoms and get tested if they arise, especially if you have more than one.
Colorectal cancer rates in people under age 50 have increased by 2 percent each year since 2011, according to the American Cancer Society. And it is now the deadliest cancer among men that age in the US, and the second deadliest among women.
About $24.3 billion was spent in the U.S. on colorectal cancer-related health care in 2020, representing 12.6% of all cancer treatment costs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. . Comparatively, breast cancer, the cancer with the highest cost of treatment, accounts for 14% of all costs, the CDC said.
Most colon and rectal cancers begin as small growths, known as polyps, in the lining of the organs. They are usually harmless, but can sometimes develop into cancer.
Often, polyps are asymptomatic, so it’s important to get regular checkups because those found in the early stages can usually be removed entirely, according to the Mayo Clinic. The recommended age to start cancer screening is 45 years, but those with a genetic predisposition, family history of the disease or other colorectal risk factors You may be advised to get tested at a younger age.
“We used to start doing colonoscopies as a screening method at age 50, but now the age has gone back to 45 in recognition that more young people are getting colorectal cancer. So get your colonoscopy,” said Dr. a gastrointestinal oncologist of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, told Business Insider.
But those who develop signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer before age 45 may also want to be screened. “If you have one symptom, you should think about getting a colonoscopy, but if you have two of them, statistically speaking, your chances are higher and you really should get a colonoscopy,” Cleary said.
For example, abdominal pain or cramping and weakness or fatigue are symptoms of the disease. Although these can be signs of many conditions, if you have both at the same time, consider getting tested for cancer.
Cleary shared three of the other common signs and symptoms of colon cancer to look out for.
Iron deficiency anemia
Lack of iron Anemia, which occurs when a person has low iron levels, can be a sign of colon cancer.
This often occurs because colon cancer can cause bleeding, particularly rectal bleeding, another symptom of the disease, Cleary said. However, bleeding can occur at a microscopic level, which the patient would not be aware of.
Blood loss causes anemia because red blood cells contain iron. So if you lose blood, you lose some iron.
“When someone is found to have iron deficiency anemia, I think the important question will always be ‘why is the person having iron deficiency anemia?’ And if you really can’t find a good cause, that person really should undergo a colonoscopy,” he said.
Common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include tiredness, lack of energy, shortness of breath and headaches. You can have a blood test to check your iron levels.
Changes in bowel movements
Changes in bowel habits can also be a potential sign of colorectal cancer, but this can show up in several ways, Cleary said. If the tumor is in the lower part of the rectum, for example, this can cause the stool to narrow because it has to pass through to exit the body.
Changes such as going to the bathroom more frequently, pencil-thin stools, and blood in stool are common in patients with colorectal cancer, he said.
Other changes may include diarrhea, constipation and a feeling of relief after having a bowel movement.
Unintentional weight loss
Unintentional weight loss can be a sign of any type of cancer, including colon cancer, Cleary said. He tends to see this in patients with very advanced stage colon cancer.
“It’s usually quite significant, 10 to 20 pounds over six months to a year,” he said, without the patient actively trying.
If people have unintentional weight loss, they should see their doctor and find out what’s going on, because it’s a high-risk feature, he said, especially if they have another symptom, such as rectal bleeding, at the same time.
Read the original article at Business Insider
