Symptoms of this hard-to-detect disease may include:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Changes in bowel habits (going more or less often)
- Blood in the stool
- Abdominal pain or a lump in the abdomen
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue without a clear cause
- Bloating
It’s important to remember that these symptoms can be caused by various conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome. However, the only way to be certain is to get checked by a medical professional.
The Lancet study highlighted that bowel cancer rates in young people rose in 27 of the 50 countries studied. Dr. Hyuna Sung, senior principal scientist at the American Cancer Society, explained: “The global scope of this concerning trend highlights the need for innovative tools to prevent and control cancers linked to dietary habits, physical inactivity, and excess body weight.
“Raising awareness of the trend and the distinct symptoms of early-onset colorectal cancer among young people and primary care providers can help reduce delays in diagnosis and decrease mortality.”
A Connection Between Diet and Colorectal Cancer
The research identified colorectal cancer as the “third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death,” responsible for over 1.9 million new cases and nearly 904,000 deaths globally in 2022.
Although scientists are still investigating why rates are rising in younger people, many point to dietary factors.
Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, highlighted the devastating impact of a cancer diagnosis at a young age. She stated:
“A cancer diagnosis at any age has a huge impact on patients and their families – so while it’s important to note that rates in younger adults are still very low compared to people over 50, we need to understand what’s causing this trend in younger people.”
