What you need to know about colon-cancer symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

“Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek, 47, announced November 3 that he has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer has become increasingly common in younger people, with one in five cases now diagnosed in patients in their early 50s or younger, according to the American Cancer Society.

“We know rates are increasing in young people, but it’s alarming to see how rapidly the whole patient population is shifting younger, despite shrinking numbers in the overall population,” Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director at the American Cancer Society, and lead author of a report published in 2023, said in a press release. “The trend toward more advanced disease in people of all ages is also surprising and should motivate everyone 45 and older to get screened.”

The researchers also found that more people are being diagnosed with late stages of the disease; 60% of cases were found to have spread to other regions of the body in 2019, up from 52% in the mid-2000s.

The report added to previous research over the past three decades that suggests rising rates of colon cancer and related illnesses like rectal cancer among younger people.

James Van Der Beek of “Dawson’s Creek” fame announced on November 3 that he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer at age 47. He didn’t give details of his prognosis but told People: “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”

In 2020, “Black Panther” actpr Chadwick Boseman died of complications related to colon cancer at age 43, shocking fans, since he had received a stage-three diagnosis four years earlier, but never publicly spoken about the illness. His death was a pivotal moment in raising awareness of the rising number of younger people receiving a colorectal cancer diagnosis.

In 2020, “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman died of complications related to colon cancer at age 43, shocking fans, since he had received a stage-three diagnosis four years earlier, but never publicly spoken about the illness.

If caught early, colon cancer is very treatable, and the five-year relative survival rate is about 90% if the cancer doesn’t spread, according to the American Cancer Society. Bowel cancers can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms — such as abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue — are common with ailments like hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, or irritable bowel syndrome. What’s more, routine testing isn’t offered to many people under 50 in several countries, including the US.

But it’s common for people to have no symptoms until the later stages of the illness. That’s why it’s important to get screened regularly, especially if you have risk factors.

Obesity, poor diet, and genetics can all increase the risk of bowel cancers

Genetics is a major risk factor for colon cancer. There’s evidence that bowel cancers are more likely in younger people with a family history of the disease.

Eating habits also play a role in bowel-cancer risk — diets low in fiber and/or high in red meat and processed meat have been linked to an increased risk of the disease. Some experts have hypothesized that the recent popularity of meat-heavy diets like keto and paleo is partly to blame for rising cancer rates.

Obesity has also been linked to an increased risk of bowel cancer, as have habits like smoking and excessive alcohol use.

Race and colon cancer

Studies have found that Black people may be disproportionately affected by colon cancer in the US, in part because of racism and barriers to getting medical treatment.

Studies have also found that stress stemming from racism and the hurdles that Black people have historically faced in the US also have tangible effects on health.

Symptoms like rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, and constipation or diarrhea can be warning signs of colon cancer

Many symptoms of colon cancer can also indicate more mundane illnesses.

For instance, changes in bowel movements like constipation or diarrhea could indicate colon cancer — but also a plethora of other ailments, including infections, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease.

Abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue can also be symptoms of colon cancer.

A major warning sign of colon cancer is rectal bleeding or bloody stool. While this could also be hemorrhoids, you should consult a medical professional if you experience this.

Another unique indicator of colon cancer is the feeling of being unable to empty the bowels, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Colon-cancer treatment

Treatment varies depending on how far the cancer has advanced and where in the bowel it is, but it can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.

The first-line treatment for colon cancer at stages zero or one is surgery to remove the affected part of the colon.

However, past stage two, when the cancer is still localized but is growing, chemotherapy is considered, particularly if it has perforated the colon and/or appears at risk of resurging after surgery.

Stage three, when the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes but not to other organs, requires surgery and chemotherapy, with additional radiation if the cancer is advancing quickly.

At stage four, when the cancer has spread to other organs, patients can undergo a combination of chemotherapy and surgery, radiation therapy, and other targeted treatments to try to treat the cancer or to alleviate the pain associated with it.

Everyone 45 and older should get screened regularly for bowel cancer, and so should younger people at a higher risk

Bowel cancer is diagnosed with a variety of tests, including stool tests, colonoscopies, X-rays, or CT scans of the bowels. A regular physical exam can help identify any abnormalities and detect the cancer sooner.

The American Cancer Society recommends that all adults over 45 be tested regularly for colon cancer, even if they have no symptoms. People older than 50 are still at a greater risk of developing colon cancer overall. However, people under 50 are more often diagnosed with hard-to-treat, advanced forms of the disease.

One study involving more than 1 million people with colon cancer from 2004 to 2015 found that 51.6% of those under 50 were diagnosed with stage three or four cancer, while 40% of people over 50 were diagnosed at those later stages.

Your personal risk factors can determine how frequently you should be tested, so it’s best to talk to your doctor about your health history and schedule tests accordingly.

“It is very clear that signs and symptoms that might indicate colorectal cancer in those under 50, and particularly rectal bleeding, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional promptly and not dismissed as ‘only hemorrhoids’ or ‘normal,'” Dr. David Greenwald, a professor of medicine and gastroenterology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, previously told B-17.