If you think you’re too young for colorectal cancer, think again. Actor James Van Der Beek’s recent death to the disease at age 48 brought more awareness to the risk for younger adults.
Earlier this year, colorectal cancer was named the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women under age 50. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and everyone, including younger adults, should take time to learn about the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer. It could save your life.
An estimated 158,850 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. In Texas alone, an estimated 13,310 will be diagnosed. The good news is colorectal cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable.
Routine screening should begin at age 45 for people at average risk. The recommended age to start screening was lowered several years ago because of the trend of more adults under age 50 being diagnosed. When it comes to screening, you have options. A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that uses direct visualization of the colon to detect polyps, or growths, that can be removed before they develop into cancer. It only needs to be done once every 10 years if no polyps are detected. You can also opt for a virtual colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, or a blood or stool test every one to three years depending on the test. If results are abnormal for these types of tests, you would still need to get a follow-up colonoscopy.
What if you’re not yet eligible for routine screening? There are still steps you can take to check your health. Learn the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer and see your health care provider right away if you experience any of the following:
• Bleeding from the rectum or blood in or on the stool
• Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia; change in bowel movements that lasts more
than a few days
• Stools that are more narrow than usual
• General abdominal problems such as bloating, fullness or a feeling that you need to
have a bowel movement that’s not relieved by having one
• Persistent abdominal cramps
• Unexplained vomiting, diarrhea or constipation
• Weight loss for no apparent reason
• Unexplained fatigue
You should also learn about your family history and other risk factors for the disease. Your personal and family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, genetic syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome, or a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis) can increase your risk. Other risk factors include being overweight or obese, not getting enough physical activity, eating a diet high in red or processed meats, smoking, and drinking alcohol in excess. African Americans are also at higher risk—they are about 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40% more likely to die from it than most other groups, according to the American Cancer Society.
Take steps to lower your risk. Although the exact reasons for the increase in younger adults remain unclear, research suggests that rising obesity rates, declining physical activity and diets high in ultra processed foods, could play a part. Exercise regularly, don’t smoke, avoid or limit alcohol and red and processed meats, maintain a healthy weight, and eat lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. To learn more, visit www.preventcancer.org.
Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Lorena Saenz Gonzalez, spouse of Congressman Vicente Gonzalez and a member of the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s Congressional Families® Program.
