Colorectal Cancer May Be Increasing Among Young Adults
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AlexRaths/iStockphoto/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Researchers say that the rate of colorectal cancer has been on the decline for the last 30 years — except in young adults.
In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Surgery, researchers found that in Americans aged 20 to 34, the rates of colon and rectal cancers have been increasing. They suggested a number of possible explanations for the increase, including higher rates of obesity and physical inactivity and the Western diet — all of which are known risk factors for colorectal cancer.
The study notes that the number of young adults who are diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually is still small, but that the figure is expected to double within the next 15 years. Researchers say the study could have major implications for cancer screening recommendations, which are currently recommended to start at age 50.
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