45 is the New 50: Navigating the Rising Rates of Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a quiet giant in the medical world. As the third most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, it often stays under the radar until it’s advanced. However, there is a powerful silver lining: it is highly preventable. Learn what you can do to prevent colon cancer with Muhammad Faizan Ahmed, MD, with Cone Health Rockingham Gastroenterology at South Main Street, in this 2 Your Well-Being conversation with WFMY.
When Should I Get Screened?
For years, age 50 was the "magic number" for your first colonoscopy. That has officially changed. Due to a sharp increase in colon cancer cases among younger adults, the recommended screening age has been lowered to 45.
"Colon cancer was once considered a disease of the elderly," says Dr. Ahmed. "But now, we are seeing it in much younger patients. I recently performed a colonoscopy on a 35-year-old and, unfortunately, found cancer. The data is clear: while rates are decreasing in older populations, they are rising in the young."
Who is at Risk for Colon Cancer?
Dr. Ahmed notes that several factors contribute to an individual's risk:
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Genetics: If a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) had colon cancer, you may need to start screening as early as age 40, or 10 years prior to their diagnosis age.
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Weight & Activity: Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are significant contributors.
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Diet: Diets high in red meat and heavily processed foods are linked to higher rates of the disease.
What Should I Avoid Eating?
To keep your colon healthy, Dr. Ahmed suggests a high-fiber lifestyle.
"Our colon loves fiber. Two kiwis a day can truly keep the GI doctor away," he jokes.
He also offers a simple shopping tip: The Rule of Five. If a packaged food has more than five ingredients, you should probably avoid it.
What are my Screening Options?
You’ve likely seen commercials for stool-based tests like Cologuard. While Dr. Ahmed admits that "the best test is the one that actually gets done," he emphasizes that the colonoscopy remains the gold standard.
"At-home tests can detect cancer, but they are less than 50% sensitive for finding the small or advanced polyps that eventually become cancer," Dr. Ahmed explains. "A colonoscopy isn't a surgery, but it's more than a test, it's a preventative procedure. If we find a polyp, we remove it right then and there, stopping cancer before it starts."
What are the Symptoms of Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer is often a silent disease, but there are red flags that warrant a conversation with your provider:
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Blood in the stool: Never assume it is "just hemorrhoids."
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Change in bowel habits: If you were regular and are suddenly constipated for no clear reason.
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Anemia: Unexplained iron deficiency should be investigated rather than just treated with supplements.
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Persistent abdominal pain.
Next Steps:
Talk to your primary care provider about getting screened and learn how to prepare for your colonoscopy.
Visit conehealth.com/geneconnect to learn about a no-cost program that tests for genetic risk factors for common cancers, including colon cancer.
