A recent shift in colorectal cancer screening guidelines has led to a significant spike in diagnoses among younger Americans. According to two studies by the American Cancer Society (ACS), there’s been a noticeable increase in local-stage disease cases among people aged 45 to 49.
The ACS found that U.S. diagnoses of local-stage disease skyrocketed in this age group from 2019 to 2022, with a 50% relative increase from 2021 to 2022. The surge is believed to be due to first-time screening among younger individuals following the new recommendations for average-risk adults to begin testing for colorectal cancer earlier.
The ACS lowered the recommended age for colorectal cancer screenings from 50 to 45 in 2018, and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) enforced the same guidance in 2021. The studies analyzed data from over 50,000 individuals and found that colonoscopy screening increased by 43%, while stool-based testing rose more than five times.
Experts agree that this increase is a positive development, as it’s likely linked to earlier-stage diagnoses. However, they also note that screening for colorectal cancer in ages 45 to 49 remains suboptimal and has not increased equitably among different educational attainment and insurance status groups.
Lead author Elizabeth Schafer commented that the uptick in cases is promising news, as it suggests that more people are taking advantage of screenings. Dr. Paul E. Oberstein, a medical oncologist, added that this study reinforces the need to focus research on understanding the causes of colon cancer increases and possible steps to reduce these cases.
The ACS also found that advanced-stage disease continues to increase, but at a slower rate than local-stage disease. Experts stress the importance of early detection, noting that the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is over 90% when the disease is caught in early stages.
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/health/colorectal-cancer-diagnoses-soar-among-younger-adults-one-key-reason