Studies show that cases of colorectal cancer are increasing in younger people. Data now shows that infections among children are also on the rise.
A new 22-year analysis of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds the number of infections has increased dramatically. colorectal cancer Researchers found that during this time, the incidence of colorectal cancer increased by 500% in children ages 10 to 14, 333% in teens ages 15 to 19, and 185% in young adults ages 20 to 24. It was found that % increased.is featured in Digestive Disease Week Later this month.
It is important to emphasize that the overall number of these cases is small. For example, in 2020, only 0.6 per 100,000 children between the ages of 10 and 14 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, compared to 0.1 per 100,000 in 1999. Among teenagers, the number increased from 0.3 to 1.3 per 100,000 people, and among young adults, cases increased. 0.7 to 2 per 100,000 people.
Still, doctors say the increase is worth paying attention to. “These findings are definitely alarming.” Dr. Tiago Biaki, A medical oncologist in the Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center told Yahoo Life. Here’s what parents need to know:
Why are these cases increasing?
It is not clear why colorectal cancer is increasing in young people. However, Biaki says there are a few things to keep in mind.
“It is well known that ‘non-hereditary’ colorectal cancers take time to develop, with normal intervals between symptoms. polyp “Cancer takes five to 10 years to develop, which means that children who develop colorectal cancer are likely to have been exposed to risk factors from a very early age,” Dr. Biachi said. To tell.
Dr. Jacqueline CasillasA pediatric hematology-oncologist and medical director of the Jonathan Jack Children’s Cancer Institute at MemorialCare Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital Long Beach, he believes lifestyle factors such as obesity, a diet high in processed foods, and a sedentary lifestyle told Yahoo Life that this may be a factor. Lifestyle and taking antibiotics that change the child’s gut microbiome. “Is there something? [happening] Before birth? “We don’t know. We’ll have to follow this trend,” she says.
but Dr. Jeffrey HyamsA pediatric gastroenterologist at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center tells Yahoo Life that this is still incredibly rare. “I’ve been in medicine for 40 years and have seen one case of colorectal cancer in a teenager,” he says. “There were zero cases in people who didn’t have the predisposing risk factors.” (Risk factors for colorectal cancer include: inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, family history of colorectal cancer, and genetic syndromes such as: Lynch syndrome and Familial adenomatous polyposisby American Cancer Society. )
Dr. Anton BilchikThe professor, who is a surgical oncologist, medical director, and director of the gastrointestinal-hepatobiliary program at Providence St. John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California, emphasized that this is rare. “These numbers have to be interpreted very carefully,” he told Yahoo Life. “We’re talking about a difference of one or two parts in a million.” Bilchik also said that “details of family history and other factors are important.”
“This is not a reason to start screening children with colonoscopies, but to discuss what’s behind this phenomenon,” Biachi says.
What symptoms should parents be aware of?
This study found that the most common symptoms experienced by colorectal cancer patients are:
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Changes in bowel habits due to constipation or diarrhea.
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abdominal pain.
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Rectal bleeding.
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signs of iron deficiency anemia.
How to distinguish colorectal cancer symptoms from less serious stomach problems
Hyams says that if your child has the above symptoms, it doesn’t automatically mean he has colorectal cancer, but that the symptoms are caused by something else. It’s far more likely. Bilchik agrees. “Children often complain of gastrointestinal symptoms,” he says. “That doesn’t mean all symptoms are signs of illness.”
But Hyams says there are several reasons to urge your child to see a doctor. “If your child has abdominal pain that lasts for more than a month or two, loose stools with blood, anemia, or persistent weight loss, you need to monitor them,” he says.
Hyams said doctors typically perform tests such as stool tests, blood tests and abdominal X-rays before moving on to larger procedures such as colonoscopies.
But Casillas recommends staying on top of your child’s gut health and continuing to seek answers if something doesn’t seem right. “If your child’s grades aren’t improving, you should encourage them to do more academically,” she says.
Bilchik also said the latest research results are a good reminder to start healthy habits early. “Start eating healthy at a young age and get plenty of exercise while you’re young,” he says.
Still, doctors stress that parents don’t need to panic over these findings. “Colorectal cancer in children remains incredibly rare,” Bilchik says.
