Giving Compass' Take:

• Franklin G. Berger reports on the concerning increase in instances of colorectal cancer in younger adults and points to possible solutions for the problem. 

• How can funders best increase understanding of and access to cures for colorectal cancer?

• Learn how to make an impact on colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer remains a major source of cancer incidence and death in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2019, there will be 145,600 new cases of the disease and 51,020 deaths across the United States, making it the fourth most diagnosed form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer mortality.

Overall incidence and mortality rates for colorectal cancer have actually been on the decline since the mid-1980s, primarily as a consequence of increased engagement in preventive screening, more effective diagnosis and treatment, and greater awareness of risk factors (such as family history, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and diets rich in red and processed meats) and symptoms (chronic diarrhea or constipation, narrowing of the stool, rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, cramping or abdominal pain, and chronic weakness and fatigue).

Unfortunately, such is not the case for young people. Colorectal cancer incidences and deaths have been increasing over the last 30 years in people under 50 years of age. As a scientist conducting basic research on colorectal cancer, I have been generally aware that this was occurring. However, two recent events impassioned me about the issue.

First, in 2017, Dr. Rebecca Siegel and colleagues published detailed and compelling statistical data clearly showing that while the disease in younger people remains a relatively small fraction of the total, it is rising at an alarming rate.

Second, at about the same time, I attended a conference where I met a number of young people, including several in their 20s and 30s, who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and were in the midst of fighting it. I also met parents who lost young adult children to the disease. The emotions displayed by these people were particularly acute, representing the intersection of anger, resentment, embarrassment, hopelessness and fear. I came away from that meeting committed to gaining an understanding of the increase in colorectal cancer among young adults, and doing something about it.

With screening, precancerous growths called polyps and early-stage cancers can be readily detected and actually removed before they advance to dangerous, life-threatening stages. Thus, screening has become an indispensable strategy for the early-detection and prevention of colorectal cancer.

What is causing colorectal cancer to increase in young adults? In short, we do not know for certain, but a great deal of ongoing research is aimed at answering this vitally important question.

Read the full article about colorectal cancer in younger adults by Franklin G. Berger at The Conversation.