Rates of colon cancer among young people have been steadily rising over the past three decades, even as diagnoses among older people decline.
A staggering 20% of colorectal cancer cases in 2019 were discovered in people younger than 55, up from 11% in 1995.
Alarmingly, this younger demographic tends to be diagnosed in the disease’s later stages, making it harder to treat and cure, according to docs who expect colon cancer to cause about 53,000 US deaths this year.
However, there are six clear signs young people should watch out for, with experts advising they see a healthcare professional if they experience any of the below.
1. Rectal bleeding
Recent research found that the most common red flag for colorectal cancer in young people was rectal bleeding, as nearly half of those diagnosed reported blood on their toilet paper or in their toilet bowl.
Andrea Cercek, MD, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, tells Self that for younger people with colon cancer, tumors often develop in the last portion of the colon or rectum. “Blood from those tumors has a shorter distance to travel, so it comes out bright red, while blood that’s been in the digestive tract for a while can look almost black.”
While blood can be a symptom of colon cancer, other causes of rectal bleeding include IBD, anal fissures, and hemorrhoids. In any case, this type of bleeding should be addressed and assessed by a medical professional.
2. Changes in your poop habits
Tiago Biachi, MD, PhD, a GI medical oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, in Tampa, Florida, tells Self: “Often, a tumor in your colon or rectum will—like a clog in a pipe—change the way you poop. That may mean frequent constipation, diarrhea, or both. In other cases, people don’t feel ’empty’ after going, or they notice their poop is looking different than before (it’s more narrow, for instance.)”
Dr. Michael Cecchini, co-director of the colorectal program at the Center for Gastrointestinal Cancers and medical oncologist at Yale Cancer Center, echoes this insight. He tells HuffPost that colon cancer patients often have very thin stools.
“This tends to occur if tumors are present near the end of the colon or if they line the entire inside of the colon, which narrows whatever stool passes through,” he explained. “When it exists, it is highly concerning.”
3. Abdominal pain or cramping
Persistent belly aching, particularly pains that coincide with mealtime, is a potential symptom of colorectal cancer. However, this pain can easily, and far more commonly, be attributed to menstrual cramping, kidney stones, indigestion, heartburn, IBS, or urinary tract infections.
How do you know when it’s time to go to the doctor?
Sonia Kupfer, MD, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic at the University of Chicago Medicine, tells Self: “If it’s abdominal pain that’s new or different from what you’ve experienced before, that’s a reason to see your doctor.”
4. Unexplained weight loss
In addition to cancer symptoms like gastrointestinal distress that can make it difficult to eat, Dr. Biachi says, colorectal tumors can release hormones that can seriously suppress your appetite.
In a recent study, 15% of younger people reported appetite loss four to six months before their diagnosis.
What amount of weight loss constitutes a red flag for colon cancer? Losing 10 pounds or 5% of your body weight over a period of six months without effort is reason enough to seek out a medical opinion.
Again, many conditions, including diabetes, IBD, celiac disease, and hyperthyroidism, can result in weight loss, but regardless of the cause, help should be sought.
5. Anemia
Bleeding from colorectal tumors can lead, over time, to anemia, a condition that occurs when the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells.
The body requires iron to create red blood cells and to support energy production, immune response, and cognitive function. Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, cold hands and feet, hair loss, brittle nails, cognitive issues like brain fog, decreased athletic performance, shortness of breath, junk food cravings, headaches, and sleep disorders.
More than a third of women younger than 50 have insufficient amounts of iron.
If you’re someone who menstruates, anemia will often be attributed to a heavy period. However, if other symptoms are present, it could indicate colon cancer.
6. Extreme fatigue
Colon cancer, like many other cancers, coincides with feelings of total exhaustion; roughly 8% of younger patients report symptoms of fatigue in the months before a diagnosis. The same tumor-generated hormones that disrupt appetite can deplete energy and contribute to general malaise.
Many younger people with colorectal cancer are misdiagnosed with other things, like hemorrhoids or IBS. Dr. Cercek urges patients to request a further evaluation if any of these symptoms are present. Medical professionals agree that undergoing a colonoscopy is key to catching colorectal cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages.
Screenings typically start at age 45, but those experiencing symptoms and those with a family history of colon cancer may be eligible earlier.
“It’s important to catch cancer early through screening or alerting to some of … these symptoms so that we diagnose cancer at an earlier stage, where it’s more treatable and hopefully curable,” Dr Cecchini says. “We still cure the majority of people with this cancer every year.”
