Colon cancer is now a top cancer killer for young people: Colorado doctors
DENVER (KDVR) — Surprising new data shows that of all the cancer deaths in people under age 55, colorectal cancer is now a top killer.
Doctors say while the number of older people being diagnosed is dropping, the number of young people being diagnosed is increasing at an alarming rate, and researchers aren’t yet sure why.
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Karissa Rund was just 31 years old when she was diagnosed with stage-four colorectal cancer.
“I’m over eight years in and I’ve had nine surgeries, four or so years of chemo over that time, and more suffering than I could ever explain to anybody,” Rund said.
Now the Littleton resident wants to raise awareness for other young people.
“Young people should be aware and willing to go to their doctor and figure out what’s going on,” she said.
The American Cancer Society expects more than 150,000 people to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2024.
“This is really becoming the number one cancer-related issue in our younger population,” said Dr. Christopher Lieu, a GI Medical Oncologist at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
He says symptoms may include blood in stool, sudden weight loss, abdominal pain or changes in bowels.
People with average risk need to start screening at age 45, but if you have an increased risk or symptoms, start sooner.
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“If you are age 45 or older talk to your primary care provider about what the best screening test is for colorectal cancer, know your family history, do not ignore warning signs, and again just have that great relationship with your primary care provider to make sure, hey, if any of these symptoms come up, do not ignore it. You are never too young to have colorectal cancer,” Dr. Lieu said.
A colonoscopy is still the gold standard for screening, but there are now many other stool-based tests that are less invasive and can be done at home.
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