Over the past two decades, the incidence of colorectal cancer has increased significantly among young people in the United States, due to both genetic and lifestyle factors, highlighting the need for increased awareness and appropriate preventive measures.
CRC incidence rates among U.S. youth have been steadily increasing over the past two decades, with the most significant increases observed among the youngest age groups. According to a study recently published at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024, from 1999 to 2020, CRC incidence rates increased 500% in children ages 10-14, 333% in teenagers ages 15-19, and 185% in young people ages 20-24.
“Colorectal cancer is no longer considered just a disease of the elderly,” said lead researcher Islam Mohammed, M.D., an internal medicine resident at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. “It is important for the public to be aware of the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer.”
Risk factors include a family history of inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer. Modifiable risk factors include obesity, smoking, alcohol intake, and dietary habits such as inadequate dietary fiber intake, consumption of processed meats and sugary drinks, and a high-fat diet. A sedentary lifestyle, the presence of tumor-causing bacteria, antibiotic use, and dietary additives are potential factors in colorectal cancer risk but have not been definitively established.
Trends and Diagnoses in Youth
Mohammed’s team used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Wonder Database to calculate trends in colorectal cancer incidence rates among people ages 10 to 44 from 1999 to 2020.
The number of colorectal cancer cases among children and teenagers is not high enough to suggest widespread colonoscopy, but a more personalized approach should be considered, Mohammed said. In 2020, the number of colorectal cancer diagnoses among children ages 10 to 14 was 0.6 per 100,000, compared with 0.1 per 100,000 in 1999. Diagnosis rates among teens ages 15 to 19 increased from 0.3 to 1.3 per 100,000, and among young adults ages 20 to 24, the number increased from 0.7 to 2 per 100,000.
According to Mohammed, the most common symptoms of colon cancer identified in patients with early-stage colon cancer were changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and signs of iron deficiency anemia.
Increases were also seen in older age groups, with those aged 30-34 increasing by 71% to 6.5 cases per 100,000 in 2020, and those aged 35-39 increasing by 58% to 11.7 cases per 100,000. The 40-44 age group saw a lower increase of 37%, but had the highest incidence, reaching 20 cases per 100,000 in 2020.
Conference: Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024
