Increase in Colon Cancer Cases Among Younger Adults: Crucial Information You Should Be Aware Of
HeatherCandrilli, a 36-year-old mother of two, is battling metastatic colon cancer, underscoring the growing concern among medical professionals about the rising rates of this disease among young adults. Her battle began two years ago when persistent abdominal bloating and rectal bleeding prompted a visit to urgent care, where a clinician dismissed her symptoms as being from internal hemorrhoids.
Over the following year, her symptoms worsened, and after speaking with her physician, an ultrasound and colonoscopy confirmed that Candrilli had colon cancer that had spread to her liver. She has since completed 21 rounds of chemotherapy and had the tumor surgically removed from her colon, but her liver tumors remain. Candrilli is now on the liver transplant list, awaiting a suitable donor match and funds to cover her medical expenses, which could be the next hopeful step toward becoming cancer-free.
Scientists are actively seeking to uncover the cause of colon cancer in young adults, as its incidence appears to be increasing among this group. Dr. Austin Chiang, a gastroenterologist and author of Gut: An Owner's Guide, emphasized that while some cases may be linked to genetic mutations, many—like Candrilli's—do not have a known family history.
Research suggests that interactions with gut bacteria may be playing a larger role in colon cancer risk than previously thought. For instance, certain gut microbes, such as E. coli, can produce toxins that interact with our bodies in ways that could potentially contribute to cancer development. A recent study in Nature highlighted colibactin, a toxin produced by certain gut bacteria, which can damage DNA in colon cells and may help initiate cancer. However, while these findings are intriguing, Dr. Angella Charnot-Katsikas, a clinical pathologist and expert in molecular genetics at Loyola University Medicine, noted that the exact cause of most early-onset colorectal cancers not tied to inherited genes remains unknown.
In the meantime, early detection through regular screening remains vital in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer. Dr. Chiang recommends consulting a gastroenterologist, particularly if there's a family history of the disease. Current guidelines recommend beginning regular colon cancer screening at age 45, an improvement from the previous recommendation of 50. However, this lower age still overlooks people like Candrilli and thousands like her, who are diagnosed with advanced colon cancer before age 45. New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton has introduced a bill that would lower the colorectal cancer screening age to 35 for residents of her state. If passed, the bill would require insurance companies to cover the costs of colorectal cancer screening starting at 35, aiming to deter some patients from seeking care due to financial concerns.
Candrilli hopes to not only heal but to help young adults recognize symptoms of colon cancer early. She emphasized the importance of self-advocacy and encouraged patients to pay attention to their bodies, as minor symptoms like rectal bleeding or bloating after eating small meals should not be dismissed as normal. "You aren't supposed to feel mediocre. You are supposed to feel good," she said.
In the ongoing scientific research, interactions with gut bacteria, such as those involving E. coli, are being examined as potential contributors to the growing concern of colorectal cancer among young adults, like Heather Candrilli. Regular screening for colon cancer is crucial for early detection and treatment, with current recommendations starting at age 45, but advocates like Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton are pushing for lowering the age to 35.
