Rising colorectal cancer rates among young people underpin lobbying efforts

WASHINGTON — As cases of colorectal cancer continue to rise among young people, activists are gathering in Washington DC to lobby lawmakers for more federal funding for research into the disease.

By 2030, some experts predict that colorectal cancer will be the leading cause of death for people under 50. On Monday at the National Mall, survivors and families of victims placed thousands of blue flags in the ground to symbolize the tip in the crates.

THE CDC describes colorectal cancer as a disease in which “cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. Sometimes we call it Colon Cancer, to shorten it. The colon is the large intestine or large intestine. The rectum is the passage that connects the colon to the anus.

Advocates remind young people that they should talk to their doctor about getting tested. On Tuesday, the lobby group plans to travel to Capitol Hill to meet with individual lawmakers and urge them to take action.

Learn more about colorectal cancer screening here

Learn more about the increase in cases among young people here

Wesley Hensel is a survivor who attended a rally near the Washington Monument on Monday. He was diagnosed at the age of 34. He has been cancer free for nearly four years.

“It can happen to you, I mean it can happen to anyone and it’s just something we have to be vigilant about. It’s preventable and that’s why we’re here to tell people that testing saves lives,” he said.

Hensel joined the rally with her friend, Jennifer Ganser. She echoed his warning.

“My husband was also diagnosed at 34 in 2012 and he fought for six years and died aged 40 in 2018. And we have a son who will be 23 tomorrow and is in that stat which, by 2030, will have an impact on young people. ,” she says.

Experts still don’t know why cases are on the rise among young people.

Calling for more research funding, supporters pointed out that Congress recently lost one of their own to the disease.

Representing Donald McEachin of Virginia passed away last November.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

THE American Cancer Society estimates that more than 153,000 people will be diagnosed this year.

More than 52,000 of them will probably die from colorectal cancer.

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