What’s Going On With Colon Cancer

If you’re the kind of person who often checks out headlines, then you may have noticed that over the past year or so, there’s been a rise in the number of headlines that center on the topic of colon cancer amongst younger adults.

According to a quick online search, you’ll see similar reports:

• There’s been A 15% increase in colon cancer diagnoses in people aged 18-50 since 2004, as reported by the National Cancer Database.
• Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in men younger than 50 and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women of the same age group, according to the American Cancer Society.
• Diagnosis rates have nearly doubled since 1995 among young adults under 55, with 20% of individuals in this age group diagnosed with advanced-stage colon cancer in 2019, compared to 11% in 1995.
• In children and young adults aged 10-44, cases of colon cancer have been rising steadily, with a 500% increase in diagnoses among 10-14 year olds and over 300% increase among 15-19 year olds between 1999 and 2020.

It’s pretty alarming to read these kinds of statistics, especially if you’re under the age of 50.

But here’s the thing about this rise in colon cancer.

I believe there’s a good chance a lot of these incidences of colon cancer could have been prevented, and I’ll discuss how in just a moment.

But for now, let’s talk about colon cancer and what to look out for as it relates to symptoms because as the rates increase, the chances of catching it early are certainly going to help with survivability.

What You Need to Know about Colon Cancer

As far as cancer goes, there are all kinds to deal with.

And while I don’t want to say one kind is “better to have” than the other, colon cancer is one of the ones that is easier to detect and easier to treat when caught early.

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, originates in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the large intestine and lower digestive tract.

I’ll get into what causes it later, but let’s talk about the symptoms, as this will help you be on the lookout for ways to catch it early.

The symptoms of colon cancer can vary, especially in the early stages, and they usually look like this.

1. Changes in Bowel Habits: Persistent diarrhea or constipation, or a change in the consistency of your stool.

2. Rectal Bleeding or Blood in Stool: Can be bright red or very dark (see the note about what else this could be).

3. Abdominal Discomfort: Includes cramps, gas, or pain.

4. Feeling of Incomplete Evacuation: A persistent feeling that you need to have a bowel movement.

5. Weakness or Fatigue: Often due to anemia due to blood loss.

6. Unexplained Weight Loss: Losing weight without trying might be an indicator.

7. Narrowing of the Stool: Changes in the shape or size of the stool.

These symptoms can be related to other, less severe conditions such as hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or infections. However, it's important to consult a healthcare provider if symptoms persist.

It’s often the case that several of these symptoms present simultaneously, which, if they do, would be a great time to get yourself checked out.

But here’s the deal…because colon cancer is so widespread (and easy to detect), it’s not a bad idea to have yourself checked.

I’m not the one to advise unnecessary medical procedures. But suppose you have a family history of the disease or other risk factors, such as a history of inflammatory bowel disease or certain genetic syndromes. In that case, it’s not a bad idea.

And because early detection of colon cancer significantly improves treatment success, I don’t believe routine screenings are a bad idea.

The most common method for early detection is a colonoscopy. You’ve likely heard of this procedure before (and if you’ve known anyone who’s had one, you know how much they hated prepping for it).

In a colonoscopy, a colonoscope (a long, flexible tube with a camera) is inserted in the anus and allows for visualization and removal of polyps in the colon and rectum.

Then there are others like the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), a test for hidden blood in the stool, which can be an early sign of cancer. Another is the Stool DNA Test (Cologuard), which detects DNA mutations and blood in the stool that may indicate cancer.

There’s also a Colonography or virtual colonoscopy, a specialized CT scan that provides images of the colon and rectum, and a flexible sigmoidoscopy, where the screening only examines the lower part of the colon.

But the most important question is…

What Causes Colon Cancer?

With the rates climbing, the most important question is what’s contributing to this.

Why are the numbers rising, and what could be causing the rise?

Based on the evidence, I believe it’s mostly related to diet.

Specifically, a diet that results in high and chronic inflammation.

If you read the mainstream media’s take on it, they’ll say it’s related to eating red meats, processed meats, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.

I’d agree that many of these factors contribute to your risk, but where I think many of the conclusions are misguided is blaming red meat outright and then not focusing on the ridiculous amount of other foods that lead to inflammation.

When consumed correctly (that means alongside other healthy foods), animal products are not a problem for our bodies and are the preferred form of nutrition. So, blaming red meat, as many are prone to, is misguided.

What’s not is saying that the many inflammatory foods we eat are the problem.

One of the leading researchers in the field, Dr. Maria Abreu, believes modified corn syrup - AKA High Fructose Corn Syrup is likely one of the leading culprits behind the explosion in numbers.

And, of course, many of the other inflammatory ingredients in the American food supply, like seed oils, artificial preservatives, and more. I’d argue that the number of pro-inflammatory foods that most people eat is the leading cause of colon cancer because pro-inflammatory foods are linked to so many other health conditions. When you consider that the colon is the final resting place of any food that comes into your body, it makes sense that these foods and their harmful nature would dramatically affect the last stage of your digestive system.

This is why eating a healthy diet rich in pasture-raised and wild-caught meats, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and limited grains can help alleviate the risk of developing colon cancer.

Of course, staying physically active, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol can help reduce the risk, too.

I think as long as people prioritize foods that promote inflammation, we’re going to see a high number of diagnoses.