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Colon Cancer on the Rise Among Young Adults in Developed Countries

With the recent announcement of lowering the standard screening age to 45-years-old, it’s no surprise that colon cancer is on the rise among young adults in developed countries. Despite rates decreasing in older adults  due to increased screening, early-age onset colorectal cancer continues to affect Americans nationwide.

According to the study, colon cancer rates remained the same in 14 countries, fell in three countries and rose in 19 countries. Italy, Austria and Lithuania were the only countries to see a decrease in colon cancer rates among those under 50-years-old.

In America, and most of the other 19 countries were colon cancer rates increased, researchers indicated that the increase in diagnoses occurred in the mid 1990s. While there is no specific reason indicated in the study for the increase, many scientists agree that lifestyle choices often play a role in developing colon cancer. Increasing your exercise and reducing processed meat may decrease your chance of developing cancer.

However, the best thing that you can do is make sure that you get screened and encourage your loved ones too. If you are concerned about you or a loved one developing colon cancer, learn more about early-onset colon cancer. You should get screened at 45-years-old if you have an average risk and earlier if you have a family history of colorectal cancer.

For more information on early-age onset colorectal cancer, please reach out to us at info@coloncancerchallenge.org or (914) 305-6674.