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The incidence of colorectal cancer increases in young people, under the age of 50. If the figures are formal, however difficult to know the causes of this increase. The point of view of Dr Lucas Spindler, a gastroenterologist in Paris.
These are the latest figures from the American Cancer Society: the proportion of colorectal cancers in people under 55 has doubled from 11% to 20%. According to Dr. Lucas Spindler, a gastroenterologist, “the trend is on the rise in this age group in Europe too, according to a recent study which looked into the question“.
It should be remembered that colorectal cancer affects 43,000 people each year, mainly the elderly, and that it is the second leading cause of cancer death in France.
Soon the main cause of death among 20-49 year olds?
According to a recent study published in the journal JAMA, colorectal cancer will very soon be the leading cause of cancer death in the 20-49 age group. In addition to this increase in cases, the US figures also show that cancers are detected at a later stage. Why this delay in the discovery of the disease? Quite simply because the symptoms can sometimes be overlooked or the cancer can progress while remaining asymptomatic for a long time.
Why is this type of cancer increasing?
The reasons for the rise in colorectal cancer cases are not entirely clear. “Of course there are known risk factors, such as high fat diet, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, consumption of cold cuts or even genetic causes, but this cannot explain everything.“Notes Dr. Spindler, for whom additional studies are necessary to really understand what are the mechanisms behind this increase in the incidence of cancer cases.
“We must not give in to fear, either”
For the doctor, finally, if there is indeed an increase in cases, it remains very measured. “The figures that I consulted speak of an increase in incidence from 0.9 to 2.1 cases per 100,000, for the young population. When you compare to the older population, the figure is 30 per 100,000, which is not the same at all. The message is therefore to remain measured and not to think that because you have a stomach ache at 22, you have cancer. he reassures.
What are the signs and symptoms suggestive of colorectal cancer to be aware of?
As a reminder, here are the main symptoms related to colorectal cancer, which mainly affects men and women, for an almost equivalent ratio, around 60 to 70 years old.
We find :
- Blood in the stool;
- Abdominal pain;
- Unintentional weight loss;
- A change in his intestinal transit;
- Anemia, shortness of breath and fatigue, which can also be warning signs.
If you have these types of symptoms, persistently, it is advisable to consult your doctor as soon as possible. On the occasion of this month of blue March, remember that colorectal cancer benefits from organized screening for all people aged 50 to 74, to be carried out every two years. Finally, be aware that for localized cancer, treated early, the survival rate is 90% at 5 years.