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.”
Health
Leading oncologist reveals 6 habits that could promote longevity and reduce your risk of chronic illness
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The health and wellness information put out on television, podcasts, social media, websites and elsewhere can be overwhelming, but a leading oncologist and University of Pennsylvania bioethicist argues healthy aging can be simplified into six evidence-based rules.
“Don’t be a schmuck” is the first principle offered by Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel in his book, “Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life.”
“Don’t be stupid,” Emanuel said recently on the ZOE Science & Nutrition podcast. “This is something my father used to say to his three sons very commonly when we were doing something dumb.”
Emanuel’s brothers are former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and powerful talent agent Ari Emanuel.
Emanuel argued that obviously dangerous activities, such as BASE jumping, climbing Mount Everest and smoking and vaping are examples of being a schmuck because they carry a high risk of death.
His other principles for living longer and reducing disease risk include prioritizing an active social life, staying mentally active with new hobbies and opportunities to learn, limiting processed and sugary foods and drinks without being overly restrictive, engaging in moderate exercise and getting proper sleep.
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“Our entire brain is constructed around social interactions, and it does way more for us,” Emanuel said. “We know that if you’re lonely, socially isolated, you dramatically increase your risks of mortality.
“More than 3 million people worldwide have been enrolled in studies about social interaction and longevity,” he added. “And the socially isolated, people who have zero or one friends, don’t see friends a lot. Those people are much more likely to die in the next few years.”
A leading health expert argues that loneliness poses health risks comparable to smoking cigarettes. (iStock)
According to Emanuel, being socially isolated or lonely “is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”
Both close relationships and casual social interactions contribute to well-being, he said.
Emanuel explained why he thinks much of society’s obsession with wellness is toxic and what he labels as “the wellness industrial complex” gets wrong.
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel said the wellness industrial complex’s obsession with wellness is toxic. (iStock)
“You should not be obsessed about wellness,” Emanuel said on the podcast. “You should be obsessed about living a meaningful life. That’s really what’s important, and wellness is only a means to an end.”
Much of the wellness industry focuses on self-denial, which is misguided, said Emanuel.
“Biology for humans is about homeostasis, the balance between one extreme and another,” he said.
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Society’s current obsession with wellness is nothing new, he added.
“Wellness is a response to a topsy-turvy world, a lot of uncertainty about what the future’s bringing, people feeling like their life’s out of control,” he said.
“And, so, wellness is a response. This is something I can control — what I eat, the vaccines I get, the exercise — and I think that’s what we have today. This is a lot about self-control transmuted into wellness as the outlet.”
Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel said he is a teetotaler himself but says he serves alcohol at his dinner parties because he believes it acts as a social lubricant. (iStock)
The body thrives when it doesn’t take dieting or exercising to extremes, Emanuel said. He is a teetotaler himself, but his wife enjoys cocktails, and when they have a dinner party, they serve alcohol.
Don’t drink alone or use alcohol to drown your sorrows or avoid dealing with them, Emanuel advised.
The ZOE podcast asked Emanuel to advise listeners who aren’t following any of his six rules what to try first.
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“Dinner parties,” he said. “You cook, and you both have good, healthy food because you’ve cooked it. Ynd you’ve challenged your mind ‘cause you’re adding a new recipe, and you’re figuring out how to do it right.
Hosting a dinner party is a healthy activity people should engage in, a health expert says. (iStock)
“You have people over, so you’ve got social connections,” he continued. “You’re challenging your mind with a good conversation. And when it’s all over, you go out for a walk so you get some physical activity.
“This is like you’ve done almost everything in wellness. All of those elements are key to wellness, and it’s the kind of thing you can do, you know, once a weekend or … And you’ll be happier.”
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A recent study suggests GLP-1-related weight loss may improve some women’s relationships and employment status.
Rebecca Diamond, professor of economics at Harvard University in Boston, independently published research that found an association between weight-loss medications and a change in women’s social and economic outcomes.
Diamond used the Understanding America Study, a panel survey from the University of Southern California, to compare women who started GLP-1s for weight loss to those who wanted to start but had not yet done so.
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The comparison considered body mass, health, income, employment, partnership status and well-being before treatment.
The study focused on women because they are more likely to use GLP-1s than men. It excluded people taking GLP-1 drugs for diabetes, as their use is driven by a medical condition rather than weight-loss demand.
Women who began GLP-1s for weight loss and were successful in losing weight experienced changes in relationship and employment status, according to the findings. (iStock)
Women who successfully lost weight with GLP-1 medications experienced changes across several life outcomes, including employment, marriage and cohabitation, according to the study.
Marriage and cohabitation rose 29% for single women after about 18 months.
DIVORCEES AND WIDOWS SHARE CONCERNING MENTAL HEALTH TRAIT, RESEARCHERS FIND
Among women who were not employed at the start of the study, job prospects increased by 27% after the same amount of time. Those who were already employed did not display any clear upward progress in their careers, however.
Diamond argues that these findings suggest part of the “female obesity penalty” comes from how people are judged when being matched up, either in a new relationship or a new job.
The findings say “more about societal bias than about the medication itself,” a doctor suggested. (iStock)
Dr. Peter Balazs, MD, a hormone and weight-loss specialist from New York and New Jersey, commented on these findings.
“The effects showed up during ‘new match’ situations, such as job interviews or dating, and not within existing jobs or relationships,” Balazs, who was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital. “This says more about societal bias than it does about the medication itself.”
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Balazs said his patients often report feeling more confident and “visible” after weight loss, which could translate into better interview performance and networking.
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“Weight loss (commonly) improves confidence, which opens new business and relationship opportunities,” he went on. “Weight loss has hormonal impacts as well, so the normalization of hormones and the profound metabolic and psychological relief that comes with it can be a factor, too.”
“Weight loss (commonly) improves confidence, which opens new business and relationship opportunities,” an expert said. (iStock)
Dr. Krishna Vyas, a plastic surgeon at Blechman Plastic Surgery in New York, told Fox News Digital in a separate interview that many patients seek breast lifts or body contouring after significant GLP-1 weight loss, after which they find themselves “re-engaging with life.”
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“That confidence effect is real in the exam room,” said the surgeon, who also was not involved in the research. “This study, however, showed no clear improvement in depression, loneliness or life satisfaction, even as marriage and employment rates climbed dramatically.”
“The opportunities opened, yet the women didn’t report feeling better, which suggests it was largely the gatekeepers who changed, not the women.”
Potential limitations
Because this was an observational study rather than a randomized clinical trial, it could only show an association — not cause and effect. The findings are also considered preliminary because the paper has not yet been peer-reviewed, the author acknowledged.
“Additionally, since the study only looked at women, that introduces another layer of potential bias,” Balazs noted. “I’d be interested to see whether the findings would be the same if the study included men or compared them directly.”
“Weight loss has hormonal impacts as well, so the normalization of hormones and the profound metabolic and psychological relief that comes with it can be a factor, too,” an expert said. (iStock)
Another limitation is that the information from the individuals studied was self-reported, the expert noted.
The researchers were also unable to determine whether people who found new jobs were earning more money.
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“Additionally, even though GLP-1 users appeared to have better outcomes on paper, they did not report greater overall life satisfaction,” Balazs added. “That raises important questions about whether these external changes translate into meaningful improvements in well-being.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the study researcher and multiple human resources organizations requesting comment.
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