Four early symptoms of colon cancer that young adult should know


Four early symptoms of colon cancer that young adult should know

Researchers have identified four symptoms that could be signs of early-onset colorectal cancer, a disease on the rise among young people in recent years.

Symptoms include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, persistent diarrhea, and iron deficiency anemia.

Experts say younger patients should know the early warning signs of colorectal cancer and see their healthcare provider as soon as possible if they develop symptoms.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer diagnosed in the United States. Recent studies have found that cancer is becoming increasingly common among young people.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer can go unnoticed in the early stages of the disease. A team of researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has identified four "red flag" symptoms that could be signs of early-onset colorectal cancer.

Here's what experts say you should know about early signs of colorectal cancer and what to do if you have it.

What are the early signs of colorectal cancer in young adults?

The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, found four symptoms that could be early warning signs of colorectal cancer:

Stomach ache

Rectal bleeding

persistent diarrhea

Iron deficiency anemia

According to the study, these symptoms appeared at least two years before the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

"Our findings are important and timely because of the high incidence of colorectal cancer in young adults," Cassandra Fritz, MD, MPHS, first author of the study and assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, tells Verywell. "Awareness of these symptoms can improve early detection of early colorectal cancer."

The more symptoms, the higher your risk.

According to American Cancer Society data, the number of colorectal cancers diagnosed in people younger than 55 nearly doubled from 11% to 20% between 1995 and 2019.

Fritz and colleagues analyzed the health insurance data of over 5,000 patients with early-onset colorectal cancer (diagnosed under 50). The researchers aimed to find symptoms that could be early signs of colorectal cancer, especially in young adults.

The study showed that in the three months to two years before diagnosis, patients who had symptoms such as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, persistent diarrhea, and iron deficiency anemia were at increased risk of developing early CRC.

Some patients in our study had symptoms for about two years before diagnosis. Early detection is crucial!

According to Fritz, nearly half of the patients reported having at least one of these symptoms in the three months following their diagnosis.

"We hope that patients and providers will be aware of the four symptoms that we have found to be associated with the onset of liver cancer," Fritz said. "Some of the patients in our study had symptoms for about two years before diagnosis. Early detection is critical!"

The researchers also found that the more symptoms a person had, the higher their risk of colorectal cancer.

For example, having one symptom nearly doubled a patient's risk of the disease, having two symptoms increased the risk by more than 3.5 times, and having three or more symptoms increased the risk by more than 6.5 times.

If you have symptoms, screening is important — it doesn't matter how old you are

In a press release about the study, senior investigator Yin Cao, ScD, MPH, assistant professor of surgery and research fellow at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the University of Washington School of Medicine, said that if you have symptoms such as rectal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia, You should talk to your provider about getting screened for colorectal cancer.

Even if you think you're too young to get tested, Kao said to remember that "colorectal cancer isn't just a disease of the elderly."

"We want younger adults to be aware of these potentially very obvious signs and symptoms and act accordingly," Cao said. "Especially because people under 50 are considered at low risk and don't have routine colorectal cancer screening."

The signs may not mean cancer.

Anton Belchik, MD, Ph.D., a surgical oncologist and chief of general surgery at Providence Saint John's Health Center, head of medicine, and director of the Digestive and Hepatobiliary Program at Saint John Cancer Institute told Friwell that most of the symptoms associated with colorectal cancer could also be signs of several common conditions.

Younger people need to realize that colon cancer is no longer a disease of the elderly and is increasing exponentially among people under 50.

For example, food poisoning or viral gastroenteritis can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease can cause blood in the stool and anemia.

"These symptoms are not specific to colon cancer," Belichick said. "There are no specific symptoms related to colon cancer because many other conditions can have similar symptoms."

Still, Bilchik said all patients — regardless of their age — should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they have symptoms to find out what's causing them.

"If you have more than one of these symptoms, you need to strongly consider a diagnosis other than what is most common among young adults, which could be gastroenteritis, colitis, or hemorrhoids," Bilchik said.

There are no specific symptoms associated with colon cancer because many other conditions can have similar symptoms.

Should you get tested if you don't have symptoms?

If you don't have symptoms, Bilchik still recommends taking proactive measures like getting screened for colorectal cancer. The earlier cancer is diagnosed, the earlier treatment can be started, leading to better outcomes.

"Young people need to realize that colon cancer is no longer a disease of the elderly and that it is increasing exponentially among people under 50," Bilchik said. "There is no excuse not to get tested because we now have stool-based tests that can be done from home."

Screening is especially important for some people who may have a higher risk of colorectal cancer, Tracy Childs, MD, board-certified in general and colorectal surgery and vice chief of surgery at Providence Saint John's Health Center, tells SELF:

People with genetic mutations for diseases such as Lynch syndrome

People with a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease

People with a history of radiation therapy to the abdomen or pelvis

People with a history of cystic fibrosis or diabetes

People who smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol

People who eat a lot of red and processed meat

In 2021, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) lowered the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45. Adults aged 45 to 75 should be screened for colorectal cancer, and those aged 76 to 85 should talk to their providers about screening.

Can you reduce your risk of colorectal cancer?

Childs said there are a few things you can do to lower your risk of colorectal cancer:

Do regular physical activity

Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Check your cholesterol levels and keep them under control.

Achieve and maintain a weight that supports your health.

Limit your alcohol intake.

Avoid tobacco and stop using it if you use it.

Colorectal cancer cases are increasing among young people. A new study says that four symptoms — abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, persistent diarrhea, and iron deficiency anemia — can be early warning signs that prompt you to see your provider.

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