A recent study looked at data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for over 20 years.
It found an increase in colorectal cancer cases (cancer of the colon and rectum) in young people in the United States between 1999 and 2020. The percentage increase seems big, but it’s important to remember these are still rare cases.
For example, the number of children aged 10 to 14 diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2020 was very low, even though it went up from 1999. Here’s a breakdown:
- Ages 10-14: Increased from 0.1 cases per 100,000 children to 0.6 cases (still very low).
- Ages 15-19 (teenagers): Increased from 0.3 cases to 1.3 cases per 100,000.
- Ages 20-24 (young adults): Increased from 0.7 cases to 2 cases per 100,000.
Even though these are rare cases, doctors are concerned about the increase. They don’t know exactly why it’s happening, but they have some ideas.
One idea is that it takes a long time for colorectal cancer to develop. It might be linked to things that happen to a child’s health very early in life.
Here’s what parents can do:
- Be aware of the symptoms of colorectal cancer in children, even though they are rare. These include changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), abdominal pain, bleeding from the rectum, and signs of anemia (tiredness, pale skin).
- If your child has any of these symptoms, talk to their doctor. Most likely, it will be caused by something else, but it’s important to get it checked out.
Remember, this is a complex issue that doctors are still researching. The most important thing is to be aware of the symptoms and talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.