Posted on 05/05/2023 9:17:36 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Researchers have identified four important signs and symptoms that signal an elevated risk of early-onset colorectal cancer. These red flags may be key to earlier detection and diagnosis of early-onset colorectal cancer among younger adults. The number of young adults with colorectal cancer has nearly doubled in recent years.
Studying health insurance data with early-onset colorectal cancer—cancer that occurs before a person turns 50—the researchers found that in the period between three months and two years before diagnosis, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea and iron deficiency anemia each indicate an increased risk in those under age 50. They found that having a single one of the symptoms almost doubled the risk; having two symptoms increased risk by more than 3.5 times; and having three or more boosted the risk by more than 6.5 times.
"Colorectal cancer is not simply a disease affecting older people; we want younger adults to be aware of and act on these potentially very telling signs and symptoms—particularly because people under 50 are considered to be at low risk, and they don't receive routine colorectal cancer screening," said senior investigator Yin Cao, ScD.
"It's also crucial to spread awareness among primary care doctors, gastroenterologists and emergency medicine doctors," Cao said.
Cao said two symptoms in particular—rectal bleeding and iron deficiency anemia, a condition in which there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen—point to the need for timely endoscopy and follow-up.
"It usually takes about three months to get a diagnosis," Fritz said. "But in this analysis, we found that some young adults had symptoms for up to two years prior to their diagnoses. That may be part of the reason many of these younger patients had more advanced disease at the time of diagnosis than what we normally see in older people."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Our most modern diet and exercise routines (the lack of healthy ones) are increasing a concerning form of cancer.
I finally had to dial back the sulfites/sulfates
I finally had to dial back the sulfites/sulfates
I’ll remember that when I poop red flags.
A timely post; I’m scheduled for my umpteenth colonoscopy May31st.
Although I’m not under 50, I do have IBD, also chronically anemic. A few years ago they removed a sessile polyp, it will be interesting to find out what, if anything else will turn up this time.
I have colitis. Same symptoms
I suffered from diverticulitis until it almost killed me last January.
At least just about every GI problem is gone after osteomy and reversal.
Red flag : You count barbecue sauce as a vegetable.
I had colorectal cancer back in 1996, when I was 42 years old. My main symptom was alternating constipation and diarrhea, until I had a brief issue of blood in the diarrhea.
I met a 28-year old man in the blood treatment center who had the same doctors and tumor in the same location.
My understanding is that the best ways to prevent colorectal cancer are eating enough fiber and getting some exercise daily.
I thought I heard that red meat was a factor, but they are citing iron deficiency as a red flag, so red meat must be OK in terms of this cancer.
If ine is pooping red flags one should see a doctor and see how they got there in the first place.....
Iron deficiency is caused by lack of red meat. Vegans and vegetarians at highest risk.
“the researchers found that in the period between three months and two years before diagnosis, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea and iron deficiency anemia each indicate an increased risk in those under age 50.”
No chit! Just brilliant. What did this tidbit of obvious trouble cost to find and how much time did it take? Nobel Prize stuff for sure.
I never have red flags anywhere near me. I don’t have orange flags either, just in case.
Pelosi’s husband could tell you.
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