There has been an increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer among younger adults, resulting in a growing number of individuals, including medical professionals, opting to undergo early screening for the disease, often well before the recommended age of 45 for those with an average risk.
According to a recent article on CNN, colorectal cancer rates among younger adults have been increasing since the mid-1990s. From 2012 to 2016, incidence rates among that age group rose by 2.2% annually and included tumors found in both the colon and the rectum. This prompted the launch of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center in response to the increase in colon and rectal cancer cases among younger adults. Some of the research at the center is focused on answering the questions about why this increase has occurred.
The article also mentions that current guidelines recommend screening for colorectal cancer in all adults 45 to 75 years old. The recommendations were recently changed to start screening at 45 instead of 50 years of age in response to more cancer being diagnosed at younger ages. For some individuals, more regular screenings or screenings at an even earlier age may be appropriate based on patient and family history.
A detailed and comprehensive screening option for colorectal cancer is a Virtual Colonosopy. It is less invasive and carries less risk of complication than a traditional colonoscopy, and requires no anesthesia.
Click here to learn more about the Virtual Colonoscopy offered at Visionary Wellness & Imaging, or contact us to find out more about the procedure and getting scheduled.
Read the full article from CNN here.
