Colon Cancer Cases Rise

Medically reviewed by: Gary H. Hoffman, MD

If you have a family history of colon cancer in Beverly Hills, then you should make sure to start getting tested early for colon cancer, especially if you have a relative who developed colon cancer before the age of 45. Recent studies have shown that the number of people under the age of 50 who develop colon cancer each year is increasing at a rate of two to four percent per year, even though overall cancer rates are going down and fewer elderly individuals are developing this type of cancer each year. Further research is necessary to determine why an increase in younger individuals developing colon cancer is emerging.

Although the cause for this increase is not clear, the increase itself is important to take it into consideration. Because colon cancer is mainly thought of as being a condition that affects the elderly, this cancer is often not discovered in younger individuals, such as those in their 30s or 40s, until the later stages when it is more serious and harder to treat. If you have a family history of colon cancer, then it is especially important to speak with your doctor about early testing for the condition.

People who have symptoms such as abdominal pain, bleeding and a change bowel habits may want to speak with their doctors about the possibility of colon cancer as the cause of these symptoms. It is important to take preventative actions with diseases like colon cancer. Colonoscopy is just such a preventative test and can find a polyp of the colon before the polyp becomes malignant. When diagnosed early, colon cancer is often much easier for your physician to treat.

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