- Since 2011, the incidence of colon cancer in young people has increased by 2% per year.
- GI oncologist Dr. James Cleary shares common signs and symptoms to watch for.
- If two of these symptoms appear at once, you should get a colonoscopy, he said.
Colorectal cancer is on the rise among young people, but catching it early increases the chance of a full recovery. This means it’s important to recognize the symptoms and get tested if they arise, especially if there are more than one.
Since 2011, the rate of colorectal cancer in people under 50 has increased by 2 percent, according to the American Cancer Society. And it’s now the deadliest cancer among men in America, and the second deadliest among women.
In the year In 2020, $24.3 billion was spent on colorectal cancer-related health care in the United States, accounting for 12.6 percent of all cancer treatment costs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By comparison, breast cancer is the cancer with the highest medical costs, accounting for 14 percent of all costs, according to the CDC.
Most colon and rectal cancers start as small growths in the lining of the organs known as polyps. Usually, they are harmless, but sometimes it can develop into cancer.
Polyps often have no symptoms, so regular screening is important because those found in the early stages can usually be completely removed, according to the Mayo Clinic. The recommended age to start screening for colorectal cancer is 45, but people with a genetic predisposition, family history of the disease, or other colorectal risk factors may be recommended to be screened at a younger age.
“We used to start colonoscopy screening at age 50 as a screening method, but now the age has been moved to 45 because more young people are getting colorectal cancer. So please get your colonoscopy,” Dr. James Cleary, a gastrointestinal oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, told Business Insider.
But people who develop signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer before age 45 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 should definitely get a colonoscopy,” Cleary said.
For example, abdominal pain or cramps and weakness or fatigue are both symptoms of the disease. Although these can be symptoms of many conditions, if you experience both at the same time, you may want to consider getting tested for cancer.
Cleary shared three of the other common colon cancer signs and symptoms.
Iron deficiency anemia
Iron deficiency anemia, when a person has low iron levels, can be a sign of colon cancer.
This often happens because colon cancer can cause bleeding, especially rectal bleeding, another symptom of the disease, Cleary said. However, the bleeding can only occur microscopically, which a patient may not recognize.
Because the red blood cells in the blood contain iron, loss of blood causes anemia. So if you lose blood, you lose iron.
“When someone is diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, the main question is always, ‘Why does someone have iron deficiency anemia?’ And if you can’t come up with a good reason, that person really should have a colonoscopy,” he said.
Common symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are fatigue, lack of energy, shortness of breath and headache. You can have a blood test to check your iron levels.
Changes in bowel movements
Changes in the colon can be a sign of colorectal cancer, but it can manifest in a number of ways, Crary said. If the swelling is low in the anus, for example, this will cause a narrowing of the stool because it needs to squeeze the past to leave the body.
He said things like frequent toilet trips, lead-thin stools and blood in stools are common in colorectal cancer patients.
Other changes may include diarrhea, constipation, and discomfort after bowel movements.
Unintended weight loss
Unexpected weight loss can be a sign of any type of cancer, including colon cancer, Crary said. They tend to see this in patients with late-stage colon cancer.
“Usually 10 to 20 pounds over six months to a year is very helpful,” the patient said without actively trying.
People who experience weight loss without realizing it should contact their doctor to find out what’s going on because it’s a high-risk behavior, he said.