A doctor, who treated a 22-year-old with colon cancer, shares what everyone should know about cancer symptoms

• The number of patients with colorectal cancer under the age of 45 is increasing, a doctor said.

• He recently treated a 22-year-old boy who was suffering from stomach pain. He had a tumor so large it almost blocked his colon.

• Symptoms of colon cancer can be mild, so knowing the right screening options is very important.

The patient was 22 years old and had just graduated from college and was complaining of unexplained stomach pain.

He had been experiencing pain on and off for about a year and assumed it was stress-related. She completed her studies and spent a busy summer working at an animal shelter and preparing to apply to veterinary school.

When he saw a doctor, he was told to wait and see if the pain would resolve on its own. However, when the situation became so severe that he went to the emergency room. Scans found a tumor large enough to nearly obstruct the colon. There was no history of the disease in his family.

happened colon cancer: Dr. who treated the patient and wrote the following report. A growing concern for young patients, according to Marc Greenwald. case study about his care.

Greenwald, chief of colorectal clinical services and surgeon in chief at North Shore University Hospital in New York, told Business Insider that while colon cancer cases are decreasing in older adults, an increasing number of colon cancer cases are increasing in people under 45. young cancer patients He comes to the hospital.

“There’s no doubt we’ll see more people,” he said. “The problem is that most of the symptoms are somewhat mild. If a person develops new symptoms, no matter their age, they need to seek medical attention.”

Everyone should know about symptoms and your cancer screening options that can catch the disease in time for effective treatment, Greenwald said.

Colon cancer symptoms everyone should know

Decades ago, cases of colon cancer in young people were rare.

Stomach pain and indigestion in patients aged 20-30 are often attributed to irritable bowel syndrome or ignored as a minor discomfort.

Colon cancer today The most important cause of cancer-related death In people under 50, this puts doctors and patients on high alert for possible symptoms.

Common symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Abdominal pain, even if not severe

• Changes in bathroom habits

• Rectal bleeding (blood in the toilet, mixed with stool, or on toilet paper after wiping)

The most worrying thing is early onset colon cancersSymptoms may be very mild or may not appear at all until the cancer is advanced.

Greenwald said his 22-year-old patient likely developed a tumor in his colon in his youth and may have continued to grow undetected for years.

“The most dangerous misconception is that I have no symptoms, so I must be fine,” he said. “This is really the wrong attitude because if colorectal cancer is caught before symptoms appear, your chances of recovery are much higher than if you wait for symptoms.”

How to test for colon cancer

Early-onset colon cancer cases include patients as young as their 40s, 30s, and 20s. This is a problem because there are currently no screening guidelines for people under 45.

Colonoscopies, recommended starting at age 45, help detect and prevent cancer. removal of existing polyps or abnormal growths that may develop into tumors.

If you are too young for regular colonoscopy, it is even more important to monitor changes in your health and get early screening if necessary.

Patients may sometimes delay or avoid a colonoscopy because of concerns about the procedure, Greenwald said. colonoscopy preparation (Although a Business Insider health reporter previously shared that it’s easier than you think).

There is also less invasive alternatives to colonoscopy, such as stool tests that can be collected at home and sent to the laboratory. Blood tests for cancer are currently under development, although their reliability is mixed.

If you have symptoms, including minor ones such as a change in bowel habits or digestion, it is important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible and find a testing option to rule out cancer.

“If you’re not going to have a colonoscopy, do something to get screened,” Greenwald said.

This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your qualified physician or healthcare professional.

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