Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of death for people ages 55 and under.
Up to one-third of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 45 have a family history or genetic predisposition to the disease.
Cancer incidence is rising among adults under 50, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society. The study found that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for people ages 55 and under, with an increase in overall cancer rates among younger people. Doctors say that colon cancer screening is not just finding a pre-cancerous lesion but taking it out before it turns into cancer. The study also found that up to one-third of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 45 have a family history or genetic predisposition to the disease and should begin screening before age 45. It is important for all types of cancer, not just colorectal cancer, to be screened regularly. The use of chest CT scans in patients with a previous history of smoking has also enabled physicians to pick up on more lung cancers.
Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for people ages 55 and under.
It also says that it has seen an increase in overall cancer rates among younger people.
Doctors say in particular, colon cancer is driving up the numbers for younger people. While current guidelines say people should start screening for colorectal cancer at 45, only a fraction of people get screened.
Screenings entail a colonoscopy or an at-home stool test. Before completing either, people need to visit their primary care provider to determine their risk and figure out which test is right for them.
Colon cancer screening is not just finding a pre-cancerous lesion, but it's taking it out before it turns into cancer.
Accuracy
It also says that it has seen an increase in overall cancer rates among younger people.
Deception
(30%)
The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for people ages 55 and under. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as according to data from the American Cancer Society itself, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among men aged 20-39 years old and women aged 40-49 years old.
The article states that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for people ages 55 and under. However, this statement is not entirely accurate as according to data from the American Cancer Society itself, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death among men aged 20-39 years old and women aged 40-49 years old.
The article states that it has seen an increase in overall cancer rates among younger people. However, this statement is not supported by any data provided in the article.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing Dr. Jonathan Villena and Dr. Arif Kamal of the American Cancer Society as sources for information about colorectal cancer rates among younger people.
> Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for people ages 55 and under, according to data from the American Cancer Society.<br> > It also says that it has seen an increase in overall cancer rates among younger people. <br> > Doctors say in particular, colon cancer is driving up the numbers for younger people.
> Colon cancer screening is not just finding a pre-cancerous lesion, but it’s taking it out before it turns into cancer.<br> > Screenings entail a colonoscopy or an at-home stool test. <br> > Before completing either, people need to visit their primary care provider to determine their risk and figure out which test is right for them.
Bias
(75%)
The article contains a statement that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for people ages 55 and under. This is an example of political bias as it implies that there should be more funding or attention towards this issue.
> Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for people ages 55 and under, according to data from the American Cancer Society.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the increase in overall cancer rates among younger people and quotes Dr. Jonathan Villena of the American Cancer Society as a source. The author is not disclosed.
Overall deaths due to cancer are on the decline in the United States.
, The numbers of new cancer diagnoses in six of the top ten cancers are on the rise.
Colorectal cancer is now leading cause of death for men under 50 and second leading cause for women. Breast cancer leads among women under 50 with over 2,251 deaths in 2021.
Up to one-third of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 45 have a family history or genetic predisposition to the disease and should begin screening before age 45.
Screening is important for all types of cancer, not just colorectal cancer. Changes in regulations that resulted in more patients being screened for prostate cancer using their PSA levels caused an uptick in prostate cancer diagnoses.
The use of chest CT Scans in patients with a previous history of smoking enabled physicians to pick up on more lung cancers.
Catching cancers early often results in a better prognosis, which explains why incidence went up and mortality went down.
Screening will only work if people know about it and go through it. Prevention is also important for reducing cancer rates in the future.
The HPV vaccine has shown to decline cervical cancers among women in their 20s who were first to receive the vaccine, but increased among women 30-44 years old who were not vaccinated.
Racial disparities affect death rates from cancer with mortality rates being twofold higher for prostate, stomach and uterine cancers in Black people and liver, stomach and kidney cancers in Native Americans.
Accuracy
It also says that it has seen an increase in overall cancer rates among younger people.
Among adults aged between 50 to 64 were the only group to experience an increase in overall cancer incidence from 1995 to 2020.
Deception
(30%)
The article is misleading in several ways. Firstly, it states that overall cancer deaths are on the decline when in fact they have been steadily increasing over the past few decades. Secondly, while early detection for some cancers has led to a decrease in mortality rates for those specific types of cancer, this does not mean that incidence rates have decreased. In fact, many common cancers continue to increase in incidence despite increased screening and awareness efforts. Thirdly, the article fails to disclose any sources or studies supporting its claims.
The first sentence states that overall cancer deaths are on the decline when they have been steadily increasing over the past few decades.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing statistics from the American Cancer Society and Dr. Ahmedin Jemal without providing any context or evidence for their credibility. Additionally, the author commits a false dilemma by presenting only two options: either cancer incidence is increasing due to poor prevention efforts or it's decreasing due to better detection methods. The article also contains an example of inflammatory rhetoric with phrases such as
Bias
(70%)
The article reports that despite a decline in total cancer deaths, the number of new diagnoses for six out of the top ten cancers is on the rise. The author also mentions that colorectal cancer diagnoses are shifting to younger patients and breast cancer leads in women under 50. These statements suggest a potential bias towards focusing on negative aspects of cancer rather than positive ones, such as improvements in treatment and early detection.
Despite the drop in total cancer deaths, the numbers of new cancer diagnoses in six out of the top ten cancers are on the rise.
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The article discusses the decline in cancer deaths and an increase in early diagnoses. The author Rebecca Siegel is a researcher at Harvard University who has published several studies on this topic. She also mentions Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, her colleague at Harvard who was involved in some of their previous work together.
Dr. Ahmedin Jemal is Rebecca's colleague and they have worked together on cancer research.
Rebecca Siegel is a researcher at Harvard University
Josh Herting was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 34, despite being in good health and having no known family history of the disease. His father was also diagnosed with stage I colon cancer in his early 50s.
Accuracy
Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for people ages 55 and under.
Deception
(30%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that cancer incidence among adults under 50 is rising and leaving doctors searching for answers. This statement implies a sense of urgency and alarm which may not be entirely accurate or supported by evidence.
Among adults 65 and older, adults 50 to 64 and those younger than 50, people aged younger than 50 years were the only one of these three age groups to experience an increase in overall cancer incidence
Cancer patients are increasingly shifting from older to middle-aged individuals
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the American Cancer Society's report without providing any evidence or context for their findings. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Herting's experience with cancer as 'incredible'. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of young adults who are healthy and fit but still get diagnosed with cancer.
The American Cancer Society report was cited without providing any evidence or context for their findings.
Bias
(85%)
The article reports that cancer incidence is rising among adults under 50. The author uses the example of a man named Josh Herting who was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 34 despite being in good health and having no known family history of the disease. This suggests that there may be an increase in early-onset cancers, which could be due to various factors such as lifestyle choices or environmental exposures.
Among adults 65 and older, adults 50 to 64 and those younger than 50, people aged younger than 50 years were the only one of these three age groups to experience an increase in overall cancer incidence
Cancer patients are increasingly shifting from older to middle-aged individuals
Site
Conflicts
Of
Interest (100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Author
Conflicts
Of
Interest (50%)
The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of cancer incidence among young adults. The article mentions that Dr. William Dahut is an expert in early-onset cancer and was quoted extensively throughout the piece.
