Here Are Colorectal Cancer Warning Signs Younger Adults Should Never Ignore

Vidcast:  https://www.instagram.com/p/Dbls4oWvzKX/Why younger adults? Colorectal cancer is no longer just an older person’s disease. It is now the leading cause of cancer death among Americans younger than 50, and incidence in people under 50 has been rising by nearly 3% a year. So know the warning signs: recurring rectal bleeding; persistent constipation or diarrhea; newly thin or narrow stools; abdominal pain or bloating; unexplained weight loss; and persistent fatigue or weakness. These symptoms often have causes other than cancer, but new or continuing symptoms deserve medical attention. Routine colorectal cancer screening generally begins at age 45 for average-risk adults, but symptoms shouldn’t wait for your 45th birthday. People with a family history, inflammatory bowel disease, or certain hereditary conditions should have earlier screening. Back to warning signs.  Rectal bleeding deserves particular attention. A study of adults younger than 50 undergoing colonoscopy found that rectal bleeding was associated with 8.5 times the odds of colorectal cancer. And 70% of the younger patients diagnosed with cancer had no family history of the disease. The message is simple: don’t automatically assume persistent bleeding or bowel changes are hemorrhoids or something harmless. Get them evaluated. Colorectal cancer, like all cancer, is much more treatable when detected early. References on my website.#ColorectalCancer #ColonCancer #CancerWarningSigns #CancerScreening #EarlyDetection