American Cancer Society researchers found a rise in the incidence of colorectal cancer among people aged between 20 and 29.

Evidence from other studies suggests that it could be down to today's unhealthy lifestyle.

90% to 100% of early colorectal cancer can be cured but it's often detected too late.



The results from this study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, are frightening: though numbers are generally declining, alarmingly, more and more young people are falling ill with colorectal cancer and researchers are worried it could be down to today's lifestyle.

The study, conducted by researchers from the American Cancer Society, show an increasing number of people between ages 20 and 29 suffering from colorectal cancer between 1983 and 2013; to be precise, an increase of 3% was recorded. The number may not appear desperately high at first glance, but it's actually a concerning increase, namely as preventative colonoscopies for early diagnosis are normally only offered to those over 50 years of age. Based on the results of the study, researchers recommend lowering the age for colonoscopies.

Obesity among US citizens could be a possible factor

At some point during life, one in 15 men and one in 18 women develop bowel cancer. Nowadays, between 90% and 100% of early colorectal cancer can be cured — but, unfortunately, it's detected too late in many cases.

Obesity among US citizens could be one of the reasons why the incidence of colorectal cancer has increased. Spencer Platt/ Getty

But how can this 3% spike among millennials be explained when overall figures are generally declining?

On the one hand, genes play a role in the development of colorectal cancer, but researchers are certain that lifestyle in particular is a contributory factor.

The US study also identified obesity among US citizens as a possible factor. When combined with little sport, ready-meals and drinking, this unhealthy lifestyle seems to promote bowel cancer.

There are other factors that may also increase the risk of colorectal cancer

Other research shows that Japanese people rarely suffer from colorectal cancer in their own country but that the incidence among Japanese emigrants to the USA is significantly higher, which seems to point to lifestyle being a considerable factor.

Considering that there's more awareness of bowel cancer than ever before and that more and more people are opting for colonoscopies, the number of reported diseases is also higher simply as bowel cancer is being found more frequently.

A group of HPV-infected koilocytes (bottom) accompanied by two normal intermediate squamous cells (top). Wikimedia Commons

Other factors that may increase the risk of colorectal cancer include anal sex and human papilloma viruses (HPV), which are transmitted through sex — however there is a vaccine against HPV.

Young people in particular should definitely be watching out more vigilantly for signs in order to be able to detect and combat colorectal cancer at an early stage, with symptoms include rectal bleeding, blood around bowel movements, cramps, fatigue or changes in your digestive process.