A new report published this week in the United States said scientists found the rates of colorectal cancer in American adults less than 50 were increasing since the 1970s, according to Medical News Today.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin examined data assembled by the National Cancer Database registry that included more than 70 percent of new cancer cases in the U.S. and examined the trends in colorectal cancer cases over the last fifty years.
The report, which was published in CANCER a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, found the number of adults in America being diagnosed with colorectal cancer rose from 10 percent in 2004 to 12.2 percent in 2015.
The study also said 51.6 percent of those under 50 were diagnosed with more advanced stages of colorectal cancer compared to 40 percent of those over the age of 50.
Hispanic and African-American adults under 50 had slightly higher rates of colon cancer than non-Hispanic whites under 50.
"Several studies have shown that the rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults have risen slowly in the US since the 1970s, but for practicing physicians, it feels like we are seeing more and more young people with colorectal cancer now than we were even 10 years ago," said lead author Dr. Boone Goodgame.
"Until just last year, guidelines recommended colon cancer screening beginning at 50. Now many guidelines do recommend screening at age 45, but most physicians and patients don't appear to be following those recommendations."
The report also indicated the percentage of colorectal cancer diagnoses in younger individuals increased in urban areas but not rural regions.
Colorectal cancer occurs when cells in the colon or rectum continue to grow and form a tumor, but it can often begin as a polyp, which is a smaller growth, inside the top layer of the wall of the colon or rectum.
The American Cancer Society estimates that 145,600 people in the United States in 2019 will find out they have colorectal cancer, with 51,020 likely to die of the disease.
Dr. Goodgame said even though many screening recommendations for colorectal cancer are now starting at 45 years, "most physicians and patients don't appear to be following those recommendations."
While the cause of the increase is still unclear, he also noted other research which indicates the rise could be due to a combination of increases in body weight and changes in gastrointestinal bacteria.
Previous reports have linked the rise in cancer rates to an excess in sedentary time, too much alcohol, too many processed foods and meats, and a lack of exercise.
-WN.com, Maureen Foody
Photo:
AP / Wong Maye-E
