Survivor shares story as colon cancer rates rise in young people

GOOSE CREEK, SC (WCSC) – Although colon cancer rates have declined among older populations, there has been a rapid change in who is diagnosed.

The patients are getting younger and it’s happening more frequently.

Dr. Raymond Dubois, director of MUSC’s Hollings Cancer Center, says this is a trend he’s seen for nearly a decade now. But the figures published over the past five years prove that this is more than anecdotal.

“Forty-five is the new 50,” he said. “There are more people diagnosed between 40 and 50 years old. People who have a family history of colon cancers, their aunt, uncle, grandparents or immediate mother or father had it, then they have a higher risk, and it could even happen in their thirties .

The American Cancer Society reports that 20% of all cases in 2019 were in patients younger than 54, an increase of 11% since 1995. The current US Task Force on Preventive Services has updated its guidelines to 2021 to recommend colonoscopies from the age of 45 instead of 50.

“We’re screening earlier, we may even have to screen before age 45, but I think it’s remarkable that we got approval from the regulatory agencies,” DuBois said.

Ebony Holmes was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in February 2022.

“I didn’t know what to say,” Holmes said. “I was just completely [in] shock.”

She is 38 years old and has two young children. Holmes says she was suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms, like stomach pain and bloody stools at the end of 2022. When she contacted her doctor, cancer was the last thing on everyone’s mind. world.

“I definitely didn’t think it was cancer,” she said. “My GP told me: ‘You are young. We don’t think it’s cancer. The other doctor he sent me to said, ‘You’re young. We don’t think it’s cancer. It’s probably Crohn’s disease or [Irritable Bowel Syndrome] or something.'”

But a ‘just in case’ colonoscopy confirmed it was cancer and had spread to his liver.

Dubois says it’s a combination of lifestyle factors, including weight and processed diets, that may increase risks for patients.

Holmes’ message to others is to always stand up for yourself if you feel something is wrong.

“I would say if you’re having any kind of symptoms call your doctor and of course trust your instincts,” she said. “Sometimes the doctor may say you don’t need it and if you feel like you absolutely need it, go ahead and have them schedule it.”

Dubois says the outlook for cancer diagnoses isn’t all bleak. He hopes that in the near future, cancers will be more treatable than ever.

“Just like when someone has a heart problem or a cholesterol problem, we will be able to detect it early enough to avoid any super serious side effects,” he said.

Holmes recently completed his treatment at MUSC, which lasted just under a year. She is grateful that she is cancer free and is learning not to take any moment for granted.

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