A growing number of young people are getting colon cancer . Here's what we know

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Many people associate colon cancer with old age. But that's not the case anymore. The number of young people being diagnosed with colon cancer is on the rise. “Normally for colon cancer patients, they were in their 60s, 70s or 80s. And then all of a sudden we were seeing this influx of young adults” Dr. Andrea Cercek, head of the colorectal section at Memorial Sloan Kettering, said. ”We are seeing younger and younger patients, even teenagers, which we previously didn't see, that don't have any family history or any hereditary or genetic predisposition.” According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 154,000 people in the United States will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer in 2025. One in five are young, under the age of 55. While there has been a consistent increase in colon cancer diagnoses in young people, doctors are still researching why. “We think it's likely what we call sort of environmental factors or a combination of environmental factors," including processed foods, high sugar, antibiotics, exposure to things like microplastics, Cercek said. "But what exactly it is, we don't know." While the recommended screening age for colon cancer has dropped from 50 to 45, there are plenty of “young” patients that don't fit that criteria. Cercek advises young people to pay attention to their bodies and advocate to get screened. “Any symptoms that are persistent and usually by persistent, we mean lasting a few days of things like bright red blood, so rectal bleeding; change in bowel habits, like constipation or diarrhea; unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain," Cercek said. Fatigue or signs of anemia can also be common. And you don't have to see a gastroenterologist, she added — a primary care doctor can also get the process started. PBS News' Deema Zein spoke to doctors and two young patients about their research, experiences and what to keep in mind as you advocate for your health. Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage. We are home to PBS News Hour, ranked the most credible and objective TV news show. Sign up for Here's The Deal with Lisa Desjardins: https://to.pbs.org/41q6E8i Subscribe for exclusive content in our newsletters: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/subscribe PBS News podcasts: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG Find more from PBS News at https://www.pbs.org/newshour Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2HfsCD6 Follow us: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnews X: http://www.twitter.com/newshour Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/newshour Facebook: http://www.pbs.org/newshour