March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, making this time one of the most valuable periods to highlight the current state of colorectal cancer in the United States and its treatment options.
Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related death among adults under 50 in the United States, a troubling and rapidly evolving public health concern. New research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and highlighted by the American Cancer Society shows mortality in adults under 50 has increased approximately 1% annually in recent years, even as death rates for other major cancers in this age group continue to decline. Research suggests this uptick in colorectal cancer incidence can be pinned on lifestyle and diet including obesity, consumption of processed foods or even diets with large amounts of red meat.
Locally, clinicians at Ascension Illinois are noticing similar trends. One gastrointestinal surgeon, Dr. Bipan Chand at Ascension Saint Joseph - Chicago, noted that he is discovering polyps, or possibly cancerous cell growths in the colon or rectumin, in younger patients. Dr. Chand echoes the sentiment from health agencies that recommends people get a colonoscopy starting at 45 years old.
Still, screening rates remain low. Nationally, only 37% of adults ages 45-49 are up to date on their necessary colorectal health screenings.
While a colonoscopy stands as the “gold standard” in colorectal cancer screening according to Dr. Chand, other, less invasive options exist which are less helpful in full-on prevention, but are safe ways to determine if you may have cancer.
“These at-home tests cannot detect precancerous conditions, and even with stool tests, if it comes back positive then a patient will still need a colonoscopy to determine a proper cancer diagnosis,” said Dr. Chand. “Colonscopies however, are a one-and-done method for both screening and future prevention. Plus colonoscopies are recommended every 10 years, while these at-home tests require testing every one to three years.”
Regardless of which screening method someone finds most comfortable, Dr. Chand said the ultimate goal is to ensure patients are informed about their health and taking proactive decisions to combat potential diseases, “The best test for prevention is the one that gets done."
