By Danielle Smith, Keystone State News Service
Photo courtesy of Nappy on Unsplash
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and diagnoses are rising sharply among adults under age 50.
Experts warned that it is the third most common cancer overall and the top cause of cancer deaths among young people. About 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, including almost 7,000 in Pennsylvania, where it is fatal for about 2,600.
Dr. James McCormick, chairperson of the Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute in Pittsburgh, explained several factors appear to be linked to younger people, including environmental exposures most likely related to diet.
“One of the biggest things is the consumption of ultra-processed foods,” McCormick pointed out. “That is an obvious increase over the last few generations, as opposed to the previous generation, so we believe that that’s probably one of the reasons. There may be other causes, but those are the associations that we can kind of control.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, increasing the number of screenings for this type of cancer to 80% could reduce deaths by one-third by the year 2030. Screening is the best way to detect cancer sooner, when it is easier to treat and survival rates are better.
McCormick noted some symptoms and warning signs that should never be ignored, regardless of a person’s age.
“The most important symptom is bleeding,” McCormick stressed. “If people notice blood in their stool or on the paper in the toilet, that’s something that should never be ignored. If that persists more than a couple of days, you should get that checked out for sure. Some people notice bloating or a change in their bowel habits.”
McCormick recommended practical steps to lower colorectal cancer risk by starting screenings at age 45, eating a balanced diet, and staying physically active. He added that food choices and lifestyle habits can make a big difference.
“Eat whole foods, lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, green leafy vegetables, avoid ultra-processed food,” McCormick outlined. “Avoid red meat, if possible; make that a treat. Have it once a week instead of every day. Avoid alcohol or minimize alcohol consumption, again, make it a treat.”
He emphasized that when colorectal cancer is caught early, at stage one, about 90% of patients can be cured with surgery alone, but if the diagnosis is delayed until the disease progresses to stage four, the outlook changes and treatment becomes much more complex.
