Most of us associate colon cancer and rectal cancer with older adults. That’s why results of a recent study by the American Cancer Society that found that the rate of new cases of colon and rectal cancer are increasing at a rapid rate among young and middle-aged adults in the U.S., is eye opening, says Richard Greenberg, MD, Division Chair of Colorectal Surgery for Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia.  Based on the study, once age is taken into account, people born in 1990 have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer compared to people born around 1950.  The study was published February 28 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women. In 2017, there will be 95,520 new cases of colon cancer and 39,910 new cases of rectal cancer.  Both cancers will result in an estimated 50,260 deaths.  The risk for colon and rectal cancer has been increasing for every generation, with the highest increases among people in their 20s.

Dr. Greenberg weighs in about this study and offers information on how people of all ages can be proactive about their health and help prevent these diseases.

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If you’re under 50, you probably haven’t given much thought to your risk of developing colorectal cancer. The focus of colorectal cancer screening and treatment has been, up to now, on older Americans over age 50. It’s been paying off. The overall rate of colorectal cancer in older Americans has decreased during the past decades.

But in younger Americans, research shows a steady increase in colorectal cancer cases. In fact, one in seven colorectal cancers is now diagnosed in people under 50, and these rates are expected to keep rising.

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