Colon and Rectal Cancers on the Rise

From the moment that you turn 50, your doctor will automatically test you for colon or rectal cancers. Several decades have passed with this statute in place, and millions of seniors have benefited with early cancer detection and remission. However, researchers report that colorectal cancer rates are actually increasing in the population. Take a close look at the rise of colorectal cancer and possible solutions.

The Young at Risk

Cancers centered in the colon or rectum are normally associated with age. As your body enters the senior years, certain tissues age at varying rates. With this fact in mind, it makes sense that colorectal cancer tends to develop in people who're at retirement ages. Startling statistics are showing otherwise, however. Twenty-year-olds are being diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancers at greater rates than before. Doctors are concerned with this rising rate because there's no clear reason for the change. Researching this cancer even further will be the only way to find a specific reason.

Overlooked Diagnoses

Doctors are concerned about young people developing colorectal cancer because it's largely overlooked during standard office visits. These cancers present themselves with basic symptoms, including upset stomach, diarrhea and other intestinal issues. Professionals simply write off the complaints as a stomach flu or bowel problem. During this time period, the cancer has a chance to grow and develop further. As a result, young people find themselves fighting a cancer that's normally discovered early on in older people. Today's doctors need to consider more diagnoses than before as cancer risk rises among the young adults.

Possible Contributing Factors

Researchers can only guess at the causes of colorectal cancer in young people today. Common factors that contribute to cancer are normally a sedentary lifestyle, weight gain, excess alcohol consumption and poor diets. People with chronic ailments, such as diabetes, also have a higher risk of cancer. However, none of the young people presenting with colorectal cancer have a clear connection between their habits. More research must be done in order to understand the relationship between young age and this particular cancer.

Preventive Care

The best way to prevent colon and rectal cancers is through colonoscopies. These tests are invasive, but they shed a light on any growths within the digestive system. When young people complain of chronic digestive issues, doctors should take that extra step to order a colonoscopy. These tests find polyps that are just barely forming, which can save a person's life. Seniors may want to go to an appointment with their younger loved one in order to support them through the process. It's an important test to complete so that the doctor has all of the necessary information for a diagnosis.

Surgical Options

If a young person's cancer is found to be advanced in nature, surgery is an option. Removing the cancerous parts of the colon and undergoing chemotherapy are often used as a combination therapy. Doctors must remove or eradicate all of the cancer so that it cannot continue to spread. Patients normally visit the doctor consistently after any surgery because possible recurrence must be discovered as soon as it develops.

If you or a loved one are experiencing any unusual issues with the digestive system, bring up this fact with your doctor. Professionals are more aware than ever that cancer isn't entirely impossible in young people. Catching any cancer in its early stages gives anyone a better chance at survival.

Colon Cancer Linked to Inherited Genes

Colon Cancer Linked to Inherited Genes

Colon cancer is one of the most difficult and dangerous types of cancer that could affect a person. Like many other types of cancer, it requires early diagnosis in order to prevent serious damage in the future. One of the best ways to diagnose this type of cancer early, as doctors are beginning to discover, is by taking a look at an individual's family tree. Research shows that not only can early signs manifest as a way to tell if a person is going to develop colon cancer, but even before signs appear, doctors can take a look at an individual's hereditary traits to determine whether or not they may be at a larger risk.

Typically, colorectal cancer is classified as a hereditary or as an inherited illness when multiple generations of any family have a history of colorectal cancer. In such cases, several genetic mutations or general abnormalities appear, which can cause colorectal cancer. Not only does the mutation result in colorectal cancer, but it can also allow the cancer to become much more transmittable to the next generation of family members. Because a gene is a section of DNA that contains genetic code for producing bodily functions on a cellular level, the slightest variations can be enough to result in all types of issues, including the development of cancer.

Two of the most commonly inherited colorectal cancer syndromes include hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, which is abbreviated as HNPCC and familial adenomatous polyposis, which is abbreviated as FAP. These conditions can affect both women and men, and often the chance for children to inherit the disease can be relatively large as well, sometimes as high as a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene. Studies show that the presence of these two cancer syndromes may account for less than five percent of all cases of colorectal cancers.

HNPCC is perhaps the most commonly inherited form of colon cancer. This syndrome accounts for approximately three percent of all documented types of colorectal cancer each year. People who have HNPCC will typically also have three or more family members and at least two generations of family who have had colorectal cancer in the past. The cancer often develops before the age of 50 as well. However, research shows that the presence of the syndrome is often not enough to guarantee the development of the cancer. Though not everyone who inherits the gene will develop the cancer, the risk is about 80 percent higher for these people. Additionally, individuals who have HNPCC may also be at a higher risk of inheriting or developing other cancers, including renal, uterine, stomach, pelvis and small intestine.

If you feel as though there are concerns regarding the state of your colorectal health, it is important for you to speak with the appropriate professionals as soon as possible. Contact your healthcare provider and schedule for a medical test at your earliest convenience. This is especially recommended for those who may believe that they are at a higher risk of developing these types of cancers, such as in those who have a family history of colorectal cancer. Through early detection, treatment options have a much higher chance to be significantly more successful, improving the rate at which you recover and go back to having a normal life.