Midstate doctors concerned over rise in cancer among young adults

Midstate doctors concerned over rise in cancer among young adults

PENNSYLVANIA. (WHTM) – A new American Cancer Society report shows that cancer is on the rise among adults under the age of 50.

“This is a big concern,” said WellSpan Health colorectal surgeon Dr. Benjamin Vabi.

The report shows a significant increase in young adults being diagnosed with colon cancer.

“This is something we have not experienced before, said Vabi.

“I have four or five other partners, and we all have seen people in their thirties, forties, and early fifties who are presenting with colon and rectal cancer. Dramatically different than what we typically think of for colon cancer in the kind of later fifties, sixties, and seventies,” said Penn State Health colorectal surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Scow.

Doctors want to know why that is.

“We really don’t know why,” said Scow.

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Doctors say many risk factors may contribute to a person getting colon cancer including diet, obesity, smoking, alcohol use, and diabetes.

“But in the young people, we don’t know if those are the same factors or if there are other different factors at play,” said Scow.

“Three typical categories that we believe that may be playing a role here. There’s the aspect of diet, there’s the aspect of inflammation. And, you know, there’s an aspect of environmental contribution. So, we are seeing there’s some evidence that diet plays a bigger role,” said Vabi.

There are signs and symptoms to look out for.

“New onset abdominal pain, changes in their bowl habits. So, diarrhea, constipation,” said Vabi.

Vabi says, only one-third of colon cancers will present some form of symptoms. That’s why doctors emphasize the importance of getting screened.

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