Colorectal Cancer Is Rising in People Under 50 (Full Transcript)

[00:00:00] Speaker 1: Actor James Van Der Beek was battling colorectal cancer before he died, and he's not alone. This is a cancer type that we're seeing more and more of at younger ages when you look at the latest data. Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death and people under the age of 50 each year. Since 2005, we've seen colorectal cancer deaths inch up by 1% here in the United States in that age group, so much so that it has become the top killer followed by. Breast cancer, brain cancer, lung cancer, and leukemia. But what really stands out on that list? Colorectal cancer is the only one where we have seen this ongoing increase and experts say this highlights a critical need to really pinpoint what's driving this trend. Some scientists say it's diets, ultra processed foods, obesity. Other scientists say we can't really pinpoint what's driving this trend. Foods, obesity. Other scientists say we can't ignore genetic factors or environmental factors, and then some experts say it's likely a combination of all of those things. But bottom line, if you're at average risk so you don't have a family history, you don't have a personal history. Start regular screening at age 45. That's what's recommended and don't ignore symptoms if you have them. That includes blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, lingering abdominal pain, or a feeling of fullness that doesn't go away. If you feel like anything is off in your body, call your doctor.