Colorectal cancer is rising among children and teenagers, with new research presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics’ national conference identifying 84 cases in the U.S. between 2012 and 2023. These cases are often aggressive, diagnosed at advanced stages, and frequently occur in patients with no family history of the disease, according to the article.
What do the new study findings show?
Researchers tracked 84 patients aged 21 and younger diagnosed with colorectal cancer across 34 medical centers, the article reported. The study found that 80% of these patients were not diagnosed until their cancer reached Stage 3 or Stage 4, meaning the disease had already spread. Dr. Cameron, a researcher involved in the study, stated that adolescents and young adults are a “unique and vulnerable population” at higher risk for aggressive colorectal cancers and diagnostic delays. According to data, the median age at diagnosis in the study was 16.5 years, and 45% of the patients died during the study period.
Cases were slightly more prevalent in males than females. Among the total cases, 51% were diagnosed at stage III and 29% at stage IV.
Why are doctors seeing more cases in young people?
While colorectal cancer remains rare in those under 20, experts are observing rising rates among people in their 20s and 30s. A person born in the 1990s is four times more likely to be diagnosed with the disease before age 50 than those born in the 1960s, the article noted.
Which symptoms should patients and doctors watch for?
In the study, 74% of patients reported abdominal or back pain, while 45% experienced changes in bowel habits, the article reported. Other warning signs include unexplained weight loss and rectal bleeding, which occurred in about 32% of cases. Physicians should consider ruling out cancer if symptoms persist and more common conditions are excluded, the article noted.
For many young patients, the road to diagnosis is long. Jo Henderson, now an 18-year-old freshman at Clemson University’s Powers College of Business, faced months of stomach pain, bloating, and constipation before her diagnosis. I was expecting a gluten allergy, lactose intolerance,
said Henderson, of Seekonk, Massachusetts. Literally anything but cancer.
How does this compare to adult-onset cancer?
Colorectal cancer in adolescents is distinct from the disease typically seen in older populations. The article reported that while incidence and mortality for the disease have been shrinking for people over 65, the rates for those under 50 have risen by 2.9% annually between 2013 and 2022. Unlike older adults, who are often screened through routine colonoscopies starting at age 45, adolescents lack established screening protocols. Furthermore, while family history is a major risk factor for adults, only about 20% of the young patients in the study had a relative with the disease, according to the article.
Even for adults, screening can be critical. Sean Stalker, 44, stayed active and worked out four days a week, but his symptoms prompted doctors to recommend a procedure before he reached the standard screening age.
What are the lingering questions about early-onset cancer?
- Is a family history required for a diagnosis? No. Researchers found that 80% of the study participants had no family history of the disease, though some may still carry genetic predispositions.
- What was the median duration of symptoms before diagnosis? Patients typically experienced symptoms for about 12 weeks before receiving a formal diagnosis, according to the article.
- Are these findings peer-reviewed? The study results were presented at the American Academy of Pediatrics’ national conference in San Diego on Saturday; they have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Advocates continue raising disease awareness and funding
Efforts to raise awareness and funding continue. Regarding the ongoing battle against the disease, one participant noted, Just be happy to be right here, right now.