Colorectal cancer, once considered a disease predominantly affecting older adults, is now alarmingly on the rise among younger populations. While the rates of this cancer have decreased among older individuals, studies from the United States, Canada, and Europe have shown a troubling shift toward younger age groups. Over the past decade, colorectal cancer rates have surged by nearly 8 percent annually for those in their 20s, by 5 percent for those in their 30s, and by 1.6 percent for people in their 40s. This trend marks a significant public health concern that demands attention.
Why Young Adults Are at Greater Risk
One of the primary reasons colorectal cancer is becoming more prevalent among young adults is the widespread misconception that it is an “old person’s disease.” Many younger individuals are unaware of the risks or the need for screening, delaying their diagnoses until the disease has advanced. Furthermore, healthcare systems in many countries, including the United States, often do not recommend routine colonoscopy screenings until age 45 or 50. This delay leaves many young adults without timely access to crucial diagnostic tests, even when they begin experiencing symptoms.
Young people who notice potential warning signs like blood in the stool, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss often face dismissal or misdiagnosis of their symptoms. Health insurance coverage for younger adults rarely includes early colorectal cancer screenings, which further delays diagnosis. Consequently, doctors often diagnose young adults with advanced-stage cancer, particularly in the rectum, making treatment much more difficult.
The Deadly Impact of Colorectal Cancer on Young Adults
This trend is extremely deadly! Colorectal cancer now leads as the top cause of cancer-related deaths in men under 50 and ranks third for women in the same age group. Younger patients often receive a diagnosis at later stages when the cancer is more aggressive and harder to treat.
What Can You Do Today?
Early Screening and Prevention: Turning the Tide
Learning the risk factors for colorectal cancer and promoting early screening is crucial to reversing this dangerous trend. We aim to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer and push for earlier, more widespread screening. This will help ensure younger adults receive timely diagnoses and treatment.
Gi-Map: Stool Testing
The GI-MAP stool test is a simple yet powerful tool that checks the health of your digestive system. By studying DNA from a small stool sample, it can find harmful germs, helpful bacteria, and signs of gut health problems. This test is especially useful for spotting early risks of colorectal cancer. For example, it can detect an imbalance in gut bacteria or harmful bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum, which has been linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer. It also measures inflammation markers, like calprotectin, which can signal chronic gut issues that might lead to cancer or other serious problems. Catching these issues early helps doctors create targeted treatments to stop cancer before it starts.
The GI-MAP offers a proactive approach to preventing colorectal cancer, making it a valuable tool for individuals at average or moderate risk who may not yet need a colonoscopy or for those seeking regular monitoring between screenings.
Testing for Colorectal Cancer and More
The occult blood test in the GI-MAP identifies hidden (microscopic) blood in the stool, a common early sign of colorectal cancer. While visible blood in stool may indicate advanced issues, occult blood can signal early-stage cancer or pre-cancerous conditions such as polyps. By catching this marker early, the GI-MAP can prompt timely follow-up testing, such as a colonoscopy, for confirmation and treatment. This non-invasive test makes it easier for individuals to monitor their gut health regularly, potentially catching problems long before symptoms develop.
Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme produced by gut bacteria that plays a role in detoxification and estrogen metabolism. Elevated levels of beta-glucuronidase can disrupt the body’s ability to eliminate toxins, leading to the reabsorption of harmful substances, including carcinogens, in the colon. This increases the risk of DNA damage and colorectal cancer over time. By measuring beta-glucuronidase levels, the GI-MAP can detect potential imbalances that contribute to cancer risk, allowing for early intervention through dietary adjustments, probiotics, or targeted therapies to reduce enzyme activity.
Beyond colorectal cancer, the GI-MAP test can identify underlying causes of various GI issues that may trigger systemic health problems. Chronic infections, dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria), or insufficient digestive enzymes can compromise nutrient absorption, weaken the immune system, and contribute to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders. By pinpointing these issues, the test enables tailored treatments to restore gut health, reducing the risk of downstream complications. This proactive approach not only helps maintain a healthy GI tract but also supports overall well-being, making the GI-MAP stool test an invaluable tool for preventative care and early disease detection.
Start Your Gi Health Journey Today!
If you want better GI health, we can help! Start by filling out our new patient form so we can review your full health history and recommend the necessary tests. Once we receive your test results, Dr. Kilcup will review them with you and start you on Functional Medicine-grade supplements to address the issues identified. This can be a huge step in the health of many patients!
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors: The Driving Forces
Unlike some cancers that are heavily influenced by genetics, the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer appears to be linked more closely to changes in lifestyle and environmental factors. Over the past few decades, the modern diet, lack of physical activity, and overuse of antibiotics have collectively contributed to gut health issues that can lead to chronic inflammation—a known risk factor for colorectal cancer. Highly processed foods, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats are common components of today’s diets, all of which contribute to gut dysbiosis and inflammation.
Moreover, antibiotics, while essential for fighting infections, can disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut, further weakening digestive health. Poor gut health and unchecked inflammation have been linked to the development of early-onset colorectal cancer. Addressing these risk factors through dietary improvements, probiotics, and strategies for maintaining a healthy gut is a critical step toward reducing colorectal cancer risk in younger populations.
Toxins and Environmental Contaminants
In addition to dietary and lifestyle factors, exposure to environmental toxins is another potential contributor to the rising rates of colorectal cancer. Modern environments are saturated with chemicals, heavy metals, and other harmful substances that can disrupt bodily functions and contribute to the development of cancer. Reducing exposure to environmental toxins, checking for toxin levels, and engaging in detoxification practices could play a role in cutting colorectal cancer risk.
The Role of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms
Disrupted sleep patterns, which are increasingly common among young adults due to excessive screen time, irregular work hours, and late-night lifestyles, may also contribute to colorectal cancer risk. Poor sleep quality and insufficient rest can interfere with the body’s circadian rhythms, leading to hormonal imbalances and weakened immune responses, which may increase cancer susceptibility.
Improving sleep hygiene—through better sleep habits, limiting screen time, and addressing issues like adrenal fatigue and melatonin levels—could help reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Prioritizing sleep is an often overlooked yet essential aspect of cancer prevention, especially for young adults whose modern lifestyles tend to compromise rest and recovery.
Read More: How to Improve Sleep without Drugs
Start Today!
Colorectal cancer is rising quickly among young adults, posing a serious public health crisis that requires immediate action. This increase isn’t due to genetics but rather a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and healthcare access issues. To combat this disease, we need to raise awareness, improve healthcare access for younger people, and address risk factors like poor diet, insufficient sleep, and exposure to toxins.
If you’re ready to improve your gut health, we’re here to support you! Start by filling out our new patient form. Our office is based in Phoenix, AZ, but we also work with patients worldwide through telehealth appointments. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
Google 5.0
