At 54, I received an unexpected package instructing me to collect a stool sample for colorectal cancer screening. A few weeks later, I was hospitalised with blood in my sample. Luckily, I didn’t have cancer, but the experience highlights a concerning trend: early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is becoming increasingly common.
In contrast to declining rates among those over 50, EOCRC affects under-50s at an alarming rate. Now accounting for around 10% of new cases worldwide, this age group’s burden will double by 2030 and become the most deadly form of cancer among Americans aged 20-49. The cause remains uncertain, but researchers are exploring potential causes and investigating whether EOCRC is a distinct and more aggressive form of colorectal cancer.
As routine screening expands to younger groups – England recently lowered its age limit to 50 – and new, less-invasive tests emerge, experts hope to uncover the underlying reasons behind this growing epidemic.
Source: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26535332-200-the-alarming-rise-of-colorectal-cancer-diagnoses-in-people-under-50