In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women under the age of 50 (Bhandari, Woodhouse, & Gupta, 2017). There has been an increase in colorectal cancer in individuals under the age of 45, due to diet and lifestyle.
It is recommended by the CDC that by the age of 45 everyone should get screened for colorectal cancer. As a result, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended in 2021 the country should invest in preventive care for this issue to insure all have access to CRC screening (Horn & Haas, 2022).
Symptoms include: Change in bowel habits, constipation, diarrhea, and bowel incontinence. blood on or in the stool, unexplained anemia, unusual stomach and or gas pain, weigh loss, fatigue and vomiting.
If you have a family history or notice a change in bowel habits, or are 45 get screened. Once you are screened your physician will determine how often you should return for screening.
Just keeping you informed.
References
Bhandari, A., Woodhouse, M., & Gupta, S. (2017). Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer incidence and mortality among adults younger than 50 years in the USA: a SEER-based analysis with comparison to other young-onset cancers. Journal of Investigative Medicine, 65(2), 311-315.
Horn, D. M., & Haas, J. S. (2022). Expanded Lung and Colorectal Cancer Screening—Ensuring Equity and Safety under New Guidelines. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp2113332
Khatri, M (2022). Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/colorectal-cancer/symptoms-colorectal-cancer
https://connecticut.news12.com/march-is-national-colorectal-cancer-awareness-month
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