{"id":22,"date":"2026-11-06T09:06:21","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T09:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcare.hibisports.com\/?p=22"},"modified":"2026-11-06T09:06:21","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T09:06:21","slug":"whats-new-in-colon-cancer-prevention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthcare.hibisports.com\/?p=22","title":{"rendered":"What’s New in Colon Cancer Prevention?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Colon cancer was once primarily a diagnosis for older adults, but the statistics are changing. In recent years, cases have been rising among people younger than 50<\/a>, which is why the American Cancer Society lowered the recommended screening age from 50 to 45.<\/span>\n<\/p>\n

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Experts aren\u2019t sure why there\u2019s an increase in colorectal cancer cases among younger adults. Genetics are a factor, but environmental exposures, dietary changes, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle could all contribute to this complicated disease. \n<\/p>\n

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Colon Cancer vs. Colorectal Cancer<\/h3>\n
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You may hear the terms \u201ccolorectal cancer\u201d and \u201ccolon cancer\u201d used interchangeably. Colorectal cancer <\/strong>is an umbrella term that refers to cancer in the colon or rectum. While colon cancer<\/strong> originates in the colon, rectal cancer <\/strong>begins in the rectum. Some researchers have proposed discontinuing the term colorectal cancer in favor of using specific disease names because of differences in risk factors, pathology, and surgical approaches.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In 10 years of practice, I\u2019ve noticed a significant increase in the number of high-risk or dysplastic polyps<\/a> in patients even as young as age 20. The polyps have a high likelihood of becoming colon cancer by the time these patients reach their mid to late 40s, but the screening rate is the lowest among people in this age group. Why? People don\u2019t know about the new screening standard, and it can take a long time to get an appointment with a gastroenterologist.\n<\/p>\n

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