Computerized image of bowel cancer
Cancers detected in the transverse and sigmoid colon Fotosearch

Colorectal cancer, one of the serious life-threatening diseases in modern society, accounts for 8.5 percent of cancer mortality rates worldwide, a study by Cancer Research UK said. It is the second leading cause of deaths in the United States and other developed countries. Specialists attribute causes primarily to dietary factors and medical history.

Disturbing Trends

Medical campaigns on early screening since the late 1990s proved effective in reducing cases and risks associated with colon cancer. Patients in their late 40s and above were given priority for regular colonoscopies.

Unfortunately, recent analysis of incidence rate for CRC in patients under age 34 indicated an alarming increase. Concrete causes for such trend are yet to be identified. According to Dr Christina Bailey, who leads the study done at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, further researches are needed to know why this is occurring and to come up with possible precautionary schemes.

Meanwhile, Dr. Donald David, chief of gastroenterology at City of Hope in Duarte, California, advises the medical community to study the matter further before making any public advisory.

Intervention

For now, doctors would just have to improve methods on how to help young patients who complain of gastrointestinal ailments. Symptoms related to colon and rectal problems have to be studied thoroughly to prescribe appropriate tests and medication.

Colorectal screening tests may save lives but can be costly or not as beneficial to some patients. Also, some people hesitate to be screened for fear of being probed with unsanitary colonoscopy equipment, although these instances rarely occur.

As experts continue to figure out more answers to these trends, it is best to sustain the preemptive steps everyone knows: a healthy lifestyle and raising cancer awareness.