New colorectal cancer cases still trending younger

Adults under age 50 are part of a large wave of cases of colorectal cancer, which is on track to becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths for this age group by 2030.  

A full explanation for the increased incidence eludes experts, but a Westernized diet appears to be an influential factor, says Dr. Rachel Issaka, a UW Medicine digestive system specialist and an associate professor of medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, at the University of Washington School of Medicine. 

“Over the past three decades, colorectal cancer cases have doubled in people under age 50,” said Issaka, who also directs the Fred Hutch/UW Medicine Population Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Program. 

“While the reasons are not entirely clear,” she said, getting screened, increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol intake are steps we can all take to reduce our risk of colorectal cancer.”  

Colorectal cancer screening day

To bring attention to the importance of early diagnosis, Fred Hutch Cancer Center will host a colorectal cancer screening day Friday, March 21.

Multiple first-time colonoscopies will be conducted simultaneously in three procedure suites set aside for this purpose, according to Dr. David Hockenbery, a UW Medicine gastroenterologist and Fred Hutch Cancer Center researcher.  

Early detection is key, Hockenbery stressed, with recommended colon cancer screenings beginning at age 45, and even earlier for those with a family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps.