https://www.cancercenter.com/community/blog/2020/08/chadwick-boseman-colorectal-cancer
Chadwick Boseman’s (a very popular Hollywood celebrity) battle with cancer and his death may serve as a wake-up call to young men and women who may think colorectal cancer primarily affects older people.
Recent studies have concluded that the rates of colorectal cancer among younger adults are taking an alarming turn, especially in the past couple of decades.
An American Cancer Society (ACS) study released in March indicates that there are rapid declines in the new cases of colorectal cancer in those 65 and older between 2011-2016, but the cases have increased in those aged 50 to 64 years. Few other studies have found an alarming increase of cases in young people in their 20s & 30s.
Risk factors:
Lifestyle and diet are contributing to the higher rates of colorectal cancer. Also, inherited genetic mutations (15%) may be the reason for the increased risk especially in the younger age.
. Lifestyle risk factors include:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Poor diet
- Sedentary living
- Alcohol consumption
The most common presenting symptoms are:
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Changes/ alteration in bowel habits- Diarrhoea/ Constipation
- Abdominal bloating, cramps or discomfort
- Unexplained loss of weight/ appetite
Colorectal Cancer screening guidelines (American Cancer Society)
- Stool tests
- Faecal immunochemical test (yearly)
- High‐sensitivity, guaiac‐based faecal occult blood test (yearly)
- Multi-target stool DNA test (three yearly)
- Colonoscopy (ten yearly)
- CT colonography (five-yearly)
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy (five-yearly)
Most important is to know your risk for the disease. Prevention is the best step forward by making necessary lifestyle changes, eating a healthy diet and staying physically active. The point to remember is - colorectal cancer, when diagnosed early, is typically very treatable.”