Colorectal cancer doesn’t only affect older adults. Recently physicians have been urging people younger than 45 to pay attention to their gut health and talk to their care teams about any changes in their bathroom habits or gut health.
Most experts recommend adults begin colorectal cancer screening at 45 and continue through 75. In 2023, the American Cancer Society reported that 20% of new colorectal cancer diagnoses in 2019 were in people younger than 55. According to UC Davis, people born between 1981 and 1996 have twice the risk of colorectal cancer compared to those born in 1950.
The rise in younger people getting colon cancer doesn’t mean everyone needs to get colonoscopies right away. Instead, think about your lifestyle and take suspicious changes in your bowel movements and the way your body feels seriously. Always talk to your provider when you notice something different.
When to talk to your doctor about your gut health
- Bleeding from your rectum or blood in your stool or the toilet after a bowel movement. Even if you think it might be hemorrhoids, talk to your care team.
- Unusual bowel movements or changes in how your stool looks such as a change in color, shape, or consistency in the last two or more weeks.
- Low energy and tiredness can indicate there is something wrong in your gut Tell your provider about fatigue if it happens with changes in your bowel movements or rectal bleeding.
Reduce your risk of colorectal cancer
Eat more fiber. You should eat around 25 grams of fiber a day. You can find fiber in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and legumes.
Quit smoking or vaping. If you don’t do either of these, don’t start.
Avoid or eliminate alcohol.
Exercise. Sedentary lifestyles contribute to developing cancer. Regular exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight, which will lower your risk.
