5 Things Millennials Should Know About Colon Cancer

At AdventHealth, we're eager to help younger patients take extra steps to protect themselves from colon cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Not every case of colon cancer can be prevented, but there are certain steps that millennials can take to stack the odds in their favor.

Keep reading to hear from one of our Tampa colorectal and general surgeons, Luv Hajirawala, MD, FACS, FASCRS, to learn five tips you can take to hopefully avoid a colon cancer diagnosis.

Colon Cancer in Millennials

There's a saying in medicine: When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras. It's a simple reminder for doctors to consider that symptoms are more often caused by common illnesses than rare ones.

For millennials, who are now 31 to 43 years old, colon cancer is starting to become more like a horse than a zebra. Though the trend is too recent to be certain, it appears that colon cancer is seeing a slow but steady upswing among people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Routine colon cancer screenings are useful for making the diagnosis at an earlier stage, when treatments are more effective. However, routine screening doesn’t typically begin until age 45.

Colon cancer can be particularly difficult for younger patients, not only because it’s unexpected, but because it can have a major impact on career, finances and family planning. When symptoms of colon cancer appear in young people, they’re often written off as something else, allowing the cancer to progress without treatment. But, as new discoveries change these attitudes, doctors are paying more attention to the possibility of colon cancer among younger patients. Here are our five tips you can take to hopefully avoid a colon cancer diagnosis.

1. Be Vigilant About Your Symptoms

“Always start with a conversation with your doctor about any potential symptoms so you can work together to rule out the worst-case scenario,” Dr. Hajirawala advises. Common symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Anemia (low red blood cell count)
• Rectal bleeding
• Unexplained weight loss
• Worsening constipation

“One of the reasons that colon cancer is often discovered later in young people is that both patients and their doctors may assume symptoms are caused by another, more common problem. If anyone experiences persistent abdominal pain, changes in bowel function or any rectal bleeding, get a colonoscopy,” explains Dr. Hajirawala.

Developing a relationship with your primary care provider is one of the most effective ways to monitor your health. This way, you can discuss any new symptoms as they arise, allowing for timely treatment.

2. Keep an Eye on Risk Factors

Like smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer, certain behaviors and habits can increase your risk of developing colon cancer. To avoid being at a higher risk, we recommend:

• Eating a high-fiber diet (25 to 30 grams of fiber per day)
• Exercising (at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week for most adults)
• Keeping weight under control
• Limiting the use of alcohol
• Minimizing processed meat and processed foods
• Not smoking

Unfortunately, one of the mysteries of the increase in colon cancer risk for young adults is that there isn’t a clear association with an established modifiable risk factor.

“There are a few theories out there. We are certainly eating more processed foods and living more sedentary lives,” Dr. Hajirawala says. “No matter what's causing the recent increase in this form of cancer in younger patients, taking these steps now and making them habits may help improve your gut health and protect you from the illness as an older adult.”

3. Be Persistent

Although colon cancer typically affects those who are older, age shouldn’t be an excuse not to order a diagnostic test to investigate worrying symptoms. If you feel like something isn’t right, don't hesitate to ask to see a specialist.

“It may also help to ask your doctor about whether the newest tools to diagnose colon cancer might work for you. While a colonoscopy remains the gold standard, new technology, including stool and blood tests, is emerging as an alternative for certain patients,” advises Dr. Hajirawala.

4. Learn Your Own Risk

“Statistics are good at describing health risks for large numbers of people, but every person is unique, with their own strengths and challenges,” says Dr. Hajirawala. He goes on to say, “Though current guidelines suggest most adults should have their first colonoscopy at age 45, that recommendation changes for people who have inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colorectal cancer. That advice is especially important for individuals with family members who were diagnosed with colon cancer before the age of 50 or with more than one family member who had colon cancer.”

But for millennials, there isn’t enough medical evidence to suggest that individuals without symptoms should be tested for colon cancer. Although rare, potential risks are posed by colonoscopies, and it's not yet clear whether they would outweigh the benefits of additional tests in younger patients.

5. Be Proactive, But Don't Panic

One study found that the risk of colon cancer for adults born in 1990 doubled when compared to an adult born in 1950.

“Even though colon cancer incidence is increasing in the younger population, it's still relatively rare in the sense that the majority of colon cancers are diagnosed in patients in their 60s. 90% of colon cancer still occurs in people older than 50. While it’s important to rule out this worst-case scenario, most abdominal symptoms have nothing to do with colon cancer,” says Dr. Hajirawala. It's a matter of being proactive and paying attention to your symptoms. Discuss your symptoms with your primary care provider or gastroenterologist, and they’ll help guide you toward whole-person health.

Helping You Lower Your Cancer Risk, One Day at a Time

We know that the thought of cancer can feel overwhelming, but knowing you're doing all you can to protect your health will help you feel more empowered. The best step you can take toward preventing cancer diagnoses is having a strong relationship with your primary care provider. To make an appointment with Dr. Hajirawala in Carrollwood, please call 813-933-3324 or visit us here.