Colon Cancer in Young Adults: Warning Signs and Risk Factors

San Diego, California United States of America
Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men under 50 and the second most deadly cancer for women under 50.
Delayed diagnosis often leads to more advanced disease that is harder to treat.
Nearly half (45%) of colon cancer cases among young individuals exhibit blood in stools as an initial symptom.
Other common warning signs include abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and anemia.
Rectal bleeding is associated with a fivefold increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Colon Cancer in Young Adults: Warning Signs and Risk Factors

In recent years, colon cancer has become an increasingly pressing concern among younger individuals. Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men under 50 and the second most deadly cancer for women under 50.

According to a study by Joshua Demb, a graduate student in gastroenterology at the University of California, San Diego, nearly half (45%) of colon cancer cases among young individuals exhibit blood in stools as an initial symptom. This is followed by abdominal cramps (40% of cases) and alterations in bowel habits (27% of cases).

The study, which analyzed data from 81 studies involving nearly 25 million adults under the age of 50 from around the world, found that rectal bleeding is associated with a fivefold increased risk of colorectal cancer. Other common warning signs include abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and anemia.

Despite these alarming statistics, many young adults with colon cancer symptoms may not receive a timely diagnosis due to doctors attributing the symptoms to benign conditions instead of cancer. This delay often leads to more advanced disease that is harder to treat.

The exact causes behind the rise in colorectal cancer among younger individuals are not well understood, but obesity, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, high alcohol intake, and diets rich in red meat, processed food and sugary drinks have long been associated with the disease. New research is exploring other possible causes such as environmental exposures, changes in gut bacteria and the use of certain medications.

It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the warning signs of colon cancer and not ignore them. Early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes and save lives.

In summary, colon cancer is on the rise among young adults, with blood in stools being a significant warning sign. It is essential to pay attention to other symptoms such as abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, and anemia. Early detection can lead to better treatment outcomes and save lives.

Sources: AllSides, NYTimes, MedicalXpress, USA Today.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts
  • Are there any potential confounding factors that could influence the results?
  • Is the study's data representative of the global population?
  • What is the exact cause behind the rise in colon cancer among young adults?

Sources

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Younger Adults Are Missing Early Warning Signs of Colon Cancer

The Name Of The NZ Prefix. I PWA NZI.P.Was Dropped. Roni Caryn Friday, 24 May 2024 15:00
  • Unique Points
    • Colorectal cancer rates are rising among adults in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
    • Rectal bleeding is associated with a fivefold increased risk of colorectal cancer.
    • Doctors may miss warning signs in younger adults, attributing symptoms to benign conditions instead of cancer.
    • The diagnosis of colorectal cancer in younger adults is often delayed, leading to more advanced disease that is harder to treat.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

99%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Colon cancers are rising among the young: New study outlines the warning signs

MedicalXpress Ernie Mundell Friday, 24 May 2024 22:29
  • Unique Points
    • Colon cancer is increasingly hitting Americans under the age of 50.
    • In nearly half (45%) of cases, blood in stools was an initial symptom for this article but not in any other articles.
    • It often took a long time to receive a diagnosis, with the average being between 4 and 6 months for this article but not mentioned in any other articles.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (95%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority with the quote 'The American Cancer Society released those statistics in its 2024 Report, causing many experts to call for better screening in younger patients.' and 'Since 1995, there has been a 45% increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses in people under the age of 50.'. The article also contains an informal fallacy with the phrase 'Red flags More young Americans need to be on the alert for colon cancer’s warning signs and push their doctors for action if and when they appear.' which is an exaggeration.
    • The American Cancer Society released those statistics in its 2024 Report, causing many experts to call for better screening in younger patients.
    • Since 1995, there has been a 45% increase in colorectal cancer diagnoses in people under the age of 50.
    • Red flags More young Americans need to be on the alert for colon cancer’s warning signs and push their doctors for action if and when they appear.
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Aggressive cancers are killing people at younger ages | The Excerpt

USA Today Dana Taylor Monday, 20 May 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Early-onset cancer is a global health crisis.
    • Cases of young onset colorectal cancer have increased by 51% since 1994.
  • Accuracy
    • Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in men under 50 and the second in women of the same age.
    • Colonoscopies can catch colon and rectal cancers and precancerous lesions called polyps.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

94%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

'If we can get colon cancer, anyone can': These three patients were 45 and in the 'best shape of...

Daily Mail Emily Joshu Wednesday, 22 May 2024 18:44
  • Unique Points
    • Three individuals, Becky Krichevsky, Bill Phillips, and Helen Shipstad, were diagnosed with colon or stomach cancer at a young age between 2009 and 2023.
    • Ms. Krichevsky was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in 2008 and given a prognosis of 20 months to live.
    • Ms. Krichevsky continued to experience symptoms, including pitch black diarrhea and weight loss, but was not given a colonoscopy due to her age.
  • Accuracy
    • ]Three individuals, Becky Krichevsky, Bill Phillips, and Helen Shipstad, were diagnosed with colon or stomach cancer at a young age between 2009 and 2023.[
    • Despite severe symptoms, Ms. Krichevsky’s initial doctor visit resulted in a prescription for Prozac and therapy instead of further testing.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

100%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Colon Cancers Are Rising Among the Young: Know the Warning Signs

AllSides News Friday, 24 May 2024 15:00
  • Unique Points
    • Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men under 50.
    • Colon cancer is the second most deadly cancer for women under 50.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication