Colon Cancer in Young Adults on the Rise!
Ami Patel, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and internal medicine provider with VHC Health. Dr. Patel's area of expertise includes general gastroenterology, intestinal diseases, and colon cancer screening.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about one of the most preventable, yet deadly cancers. While commonly associated with older adults, rates are rising among younger individuals - making early detection and education more critical than ever. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, many people delay seeking care because they don't recognize or ignore symptoms.
Don't Ignore These Warning Signs
In our busy lives, it's easy to put off doctor visits and dismiss symptoms as minor inconveniences. However, when it comes to your health, paying attention to changes in your body can make all the difference. Here are some key warning signs of gastrointestinal issues that shouldn't be ignored:
- Blood in the stool - Any amount of blood in the stool is not normal! This includes a smear on the toilet paper, a quarter-sized clot in the toilet, red blood mixed into the stool, or tarry black stool.
- Unintentional weight loss - If you're losing weight without trying, even 10 pounds over several weeks, it's worth discussing with your provider.
- Changes in bowel habits - Having a history of constipation or diarrhea occurring for more than two weeks can be a sign of abnormalities within your gastrointestinal system. Conversely, new-onset constipation persisting for several weeks or pencil-thin stools can be an alarm sign that needs further evaluation.
- Family history - If you have a close family member (father, mother, sibling, etc.) with colorectal cancer, let your primary care or gastroenterologist know so they can discuss when you should be screened. The rule of thumb is that those with a family history need to be screened at age 40, or 10 years earlier than the family member was diagnosed - whichever comes first.
- Unexplained abdominal pain - New abdominal pain that is severe or persists should be evaluated by a provider.
- Low iron levels - It's important to keep up with your annual physical exam with your primary care provider, as labs are updated yearly. Anemia, a low red blood cell count, is considered abnormal and can sometimes be caused by gastrointestinal bleeding.
All of these reasons (and more) are important for you to keep up with your colorectal cancer screening. If you or someone you know are experiencing any of the symptoms above, please visit your primary care provider or make an appointment with VHC Health Gastroenterology.
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