Health
Red flags for colorectal cancer that warrant screenings before 45 years of age
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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50 and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., highlighting the importance of routine screenings.
Adults 65 and younger comprise nearly half (45%) of all new cases — a significant increase from 27% in 1995, according to a report from the American Cancer Society.
“Once considered a disease that primarily affected people over 50, we are now seeing increasing diagnoses in patients in their 20s, 30s and 40s — making it even more important not to dismiss symptoms based on age alone,” Dr. Timothy Cannon, director of the Molecular Tumor Board and co-director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program at Inova in Virginia, told Fox News Digital.
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Official health agencies recommend that CRC screenings start at age 45 and continue through age 75 for adults at “average risk.”
Stool-based tests can be used to detect blood or DNA changes, potential indicators of cancer. Depending on the type of stool test, it can be performed every one to three years.
Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in adults under 50 and the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. (iStock)
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the patient’s colon and rectum using a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end. For average-risk adults, a colonoscopy is typically done every 10 years.
“Colonoscopy remains the gold standard because it not only detects cancer early, but can also prevent it by identifying and removing precancerous polyps,” Cannon said.
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Dr. Michael Martin, a California physician, emphasized that colonoscopy is generally preferred for younger patients who are clearly at higher risk.
“Stool-based tests are appropriate screening options for average-risk adults, but they are not the best choice for people with significant family history, inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary syndromes or alarm symptoms,” he told Fox News Digital. “If symptoms are present, the goal is not screening but diagnosis, and colonoscopy is usually the more appropriate test.”
3 reasons to get screened before 45
Doctors may suggest earlier screenings for people who fall into the following higher-risk groups.
Strong family history
“A family history can make screening earlier and more frequent,” Martin told Fox News Digital.
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends early screening if one first-degree relative is diagnosed with colorectal cancer or an advanced polyp before age 60, or if two first-degree relatives are diagnosed at any age.
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to examine the inside of the patient’s colon and rectum using a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end. (iStock)
“They should generally start colonoscopy at age 40 or 10 years before the youngest affected relative’s diagnosis, whichever comes first,” Martin said. “In that setting, repeat the colonoscopy every five years is then generally recommended.”
Critical symptoms
Cannon listed the following red flags that warrant earlier screenings.
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- Rectal bleeding with bright-red blood
- Dark or black stools
- Blood in the stool
- Persistent changes in bowel habits, such as new constipation or diarrhea
- Unexplained iron-deficiency anemia
- Ongoing abdominal pain or cramping
- Unexplained weight loss
- Persistent sensation that the bowel is not emptying fully
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“While many of these symptoms can be caused by less serious conditions, they should never be ignored,” he said.
Ongoing abdominal pain or cramping is one warning sign that could warrant earlier screenings. (iStock)
Rectal bleeding in particular should always be taken seriously, even in younger patients, Cannon said.
“Too often, symptoms are attributed to hemorrhoids, diet, stress or athletic activity without further evaluation,” he noted. “Any persistent or unexplained bleeding warrants a conversation with a physician, and in some cases, a colonoscopy.”
“If something feels new, persistent, or concerning, don’t wait. Early evaluation can save your life.”
Certain genetic conditions
Some common hereditary syndromes increase the risk of colorectal cancer and may warrant earlier screenings.
For example, people with Lynch syndrome — an inherited DNA mutation that greatly increases lifetime risk — should get a colonoscopy every one to two years starting at about 20–25 years old or two to five years before the youngest diagnosed family case, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), another genetic variant, carries the risk of thousands of polyps and a nearly 100% lifetime risk of CRC, noted the American Cancer Society. Those with FAP are advised to start annual screenings at as early as 10 to 12 years old.
Several other syndromes and genetic variations — including Peutz–Jeghers Syndrome, Juvenile Polyposis Syndrome and MUTYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP) — can also warrant earlier screenings.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, face a higher lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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This is largely due to chronic inflammation that causes cellular changes. In this case, the patient may be advised to start colonoscopy screenings before age 45.
If someone falls into a category that warrants an early screening before 45, and then the screening is normal, the length of time until the next one will depend on the specific risk factors, according to Martin.
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“If it was performed because of a strong family history, repeating it every five years is common,” he advised. “If the person turns out not to have colon cancer (or an advanced polyp) and is closer to average risk than to high risk, the interval may be longer.”
In many cases, early screenings will be covered by insurance, Martin said, but coverage rules can differ depending on whether the exam is classified as screening or diagnostic.
Those with inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, face a higher lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer. (iStock)
“Under federal law, recommended screening tests for average-risk patients are generally covered without cost-sharing, but a colonoscopy done because of symptoms is often considered diagnostic, as mentioned above,” he noted. “This can have an impact on deductibles or co-pays. The exact out-of-pocket cost varies by insurer and plan.”
The encouraging news is that colorectal cancer is often preventable, Cannon emphasized.
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“Most cancers develop slowly from precancerous polyps over many years,” he said. “Screening allows physicians to detect and remove these polyps before they turn into cancer.”
“The key message: If something feels new, persistent, or concerning, don’t wait. Early evaluation can save your life.”
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The old saying that laughter is the best medicine may be true, according to new research that suggests it is also a vital catalyst for children’s development.
Laughter and play are fundamental to healthy brain growth, emotional well-being and social bonding, according to Jacqueline Harding, Ph.D., an early childhood expert at Middlesex University in London.
In her book, “The Brain That Loves to Laugh,” Harding argues that joy is a complex biological phenomenon that helps children navigate stress and build more resilient, receptive minds, news agency SWNS reported.
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“When we see children laugh, we witness the brilliance of the brain in action: learning, connecting and growing,” Harding told SWNS.
“Hope and humor, it seems, are not just the seasoning of life, but foundational to a recipe for healthy development.”
Laughter alters internal chemistry by decreasing stress hormones and boosting feel-good chemicals like serotonin, experts say. (iStock)
Laughter activates broad brain networks, including motor regions and the prefrontal cortex, long before children learn to speak. By helping the brain resolve conflicting ideas, it boosts creativity and engages working memory, acting as a “mental workout,” experts say.
At a molecular level, laughter alters the internal chemistry by decreasing stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine. It also increases “happiness chemicals” like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins.
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Additionally, laughter is known to boost oxytocin, which deepens emotional bonds between parents and children.
Prolonged stress does the exact opposite: It impairs learning, suppresses immune function and alters the developing limbic system, which governs emotion and long-term memory, according to SWNS.
Prolonged stress can negatively impact not only children’s mental well-being, but their physical state as well. (iStock)
“Stated simply, the emotional state of young children directly influences how they navigate their way through the world,” Harding said.
Parents can foster these benefits through moments of spontaneous play and joyful connection, the expert advised.
“Spontaneous, joyful play is an antidote to stress.”
These interactions do more than spark laughter — they help children develop emotional regulation, strengthen feelings of safety and connection, and support social and cognitive development, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
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“Spontaneous, joyful play is an antidote to stress, as it increases levels of endorphins released by the brain,” Harding said. “Creative, happy play does its most brilliant work at a molecular level, especially at a time when the human brain is at its most receptive.”
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This shared joy also establishes “co-regulation,” where a child learns to manage their own stress by drawing on a biological store of positive early experiences.
Spontaneous, joyful play is an antidote to stress, as it increases levels of endorphins released by the brain, the expert said. (iStock)
Harding advocates for integrating humor directly into classrooms to reduce cognitive load and improve how children retain key concepts.
By uplifting the nervous system, joy creates an optimal environment for information absorption, as the SWNS piece noted.
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“Safe relationships and non-stressful play environments promote learning,” she added.
“The curriculum must never be prioritized over those two fundamental factors.”
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People who incorporate strength training into their weekly routines may be more likely to live longer, according to a new study.
Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health analyzed data from 147,374 adults and found that people who engaged in moderate amounts of resistance training had a lower risk of dying from several major causes, including heart disease and neurological disease.
The findings were published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
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People who performed between 90 and 119 minutes of resistance training per week had a 13% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who did no strength training.
The same group also experienced a 19% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a 27% lower risk of death from neurological diseases, most of which were related to dementia.
A new study found that adults who regularly engage in moderate strength training may live longer. (iStock)
Researchers found that the greatest benefit occurred when resistance training was combined with aerobic exercise.
Adults who regularly participated in both forms of exercise had up to a 45% lower risk of death than those who did little aerobic activity and no resistance training.
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However, more exercise was not necessarily better.
The study found no additional reduction in mortality risk beyond about 120 minutes of resistance training per week.
The research followed participants for up to 30 years and repeatedly tracked their exercise habits over time, giving researchers a more complete picture of long-term behavior.
Researchers found that the greatest health benefits were seen among people who combined weightlifting with aerobic exercise. (iStock)
Josephine Hunt, an educational leader, former group fitness instructor and founder of The Resilience Revolution based in New Jersey, who was not involved in the study, said the findings support a growing body of research linking strength training to healthy aging.
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“The conversation about longevity often focuses on living longer, but I believe the more important goal is maintaining the strength, mobility, independence, and vitality to fully participate in life as we age,” Hunt told Fox News Digital.
Hunt said resistance training helps preserve muscle mass and bone density, improves balance and supports overall physical function as people get older.
For women, she noted, strength training becomes especially important after menopause, when muscle mass and bone density can decline more rapidly.
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“Resistance training is not about bodybuilding, appearance, or achieving a certain physique,” Hunt said.
Experts say longevity is not just about living longer, but staying strong, mobile and independent with age. (iStock)
“It is about preserving the ability to live life on your own terms.”
She added that strength training can help people remain independent, recover from illness or injury, travel more easily and stay active later in life.
Researchers noted that the study has limitations.
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While the findings suggest a connection between strength training and a lower risk of death, the study cannot prove that lifting weights was the reason participants lived longer.
The study also relied on self-reported exercise habits and primarily included white, middle-aged and older health professionals, which may limit how broadly the findings apply to the general population.
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A new “living bandage” could soon revolutionize how doctors treat serious injuries by accelerating the healing process, according to new research reported by SWNS.
The high-tech patch was developed by researchers at Rice University in Texas. It acts like an around-the-clock mini factory, continuously delivering healing proteins directly to different types of wounds, the same source noted.
Caring for chronic wounds is often a challenge for doctors, as it’s difficult to deliver steady, localized signals that tell the body to repair its own tissue, the researchers said.
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The body naturally relies on small chemical messengers called cytokines to control inflammation and healing. However, traditional treatments like ointments or injections usually fail, as fragile proteins break down too quickly or wash away from the injury site.
To solve the problem, the research team created a cell-based patch that stays on top of the wound. Inside the device, scientists placed engineered cells programmed to manufacture and secrete three specific healing cytokines, known as IL-10, IL-12 and Transforming Growth Factor-beta.
A living bandage patch delivers healing proteins from engineered cells to accelerate wound healing, according to new research by American scientists. (Jared Jones/Rice University/SWNS)
These cells are safely housed inside protective material that acts like a shield — letting vital nutrients and therapeutic proteins pass through to the skin while keeping the body’s immune system from attacking the engineered cells inside.
The system also uses a special hydrogel that helps the patch blend naturally with the wound, SWNS reported. It may be updated eventually, the research team indicated, to work alongside electronic components.
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In lab tests on rodents and pigs, the patch successfully accelerated wound healing. By analyzing the genetic material of the cells, the researchers confirmed the treatment successfully activated the processes needed for tissue repair.
Professor Omid Veiseh, faculty director of the Rice Biotech Launch Pad and leader of the laboratory development, said the animal trials showed strong potential for the approach.
“By maintaining a consistent presence of these signaling molecules at the wound site, we can more effectively engage the body’s natural healing response,” the scientists said. (iStock)
“The findings show how continuous, localized cytokine delivery can support key biological pathways involved in tissue repair,” Veiseh said, according to SWNS.
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“By maintaining a consistent presence of these signaling molecules at the wound site, we can more effectively engage the body’s natural healing response.”
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He said genetic analysis “revealed coordinated upregulation of genes associated with tissue regeneration and immune modulation, providing a mechanistic basis for the functional improvements observed.”
Researcher Elizabeth Kelley of Rice University holds a cytokine-secreting patch designed to accelerate wound healing by delivering healing proteins from engineered cells continuously. (Jared Jones/Rice University/SWNS)
The platform is fully customizable, so the engineered cells can easily be adapted to produce different combinations of proteins and growth factors, depending on what each individual patient needs.
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Study co-author Christian Schreib, Ph.D., noted that “the ability to tune both the type and timing of cytokine delivery opens the door to more precise control over the healing process.”
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Schreib said that “future work will focus on expanding the flexibility of the platform, including approaches such as optogenetic control” — using light to control cell activity — “to regulate cytokine secretion in real time.”
The technology is still in an early stage and has not yet been tested on human patients.
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Further research is needed to understand how the technology will be used on humans.
The study was published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.
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