Colorectal Cancer AND Late-Stage Diagnosis are on the Rise for Adults Under Age 55
Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The proportion of individuals 55 and younger with Colorectal Cancer has increased from 11% to 20% (Siegel et al., 2023). Late-stage diagnosis is also becoming more prevalent, “CRC is rapidly shifting to diagnosis at a younger age, at a more advanced stage, and in the left colon/rectum” (p.233).
The CDC recommends colorectal cancer screenings begin at age 45. However, 45 year olds are avoiding colonoscopies for a variety of reasons:
- Lack of time due to everyday life responsibilities
- Lack of awareness about CRC risk factors as well as when and how to screen for CRC
- Fear and stigma
- Lack of recommendation from a healthcare provider (HCP)
- Lack of health insurance
- Prioritization of other areas of health
- Feeling young and in good health
DO NOT WAIT! CRC affects individuals younger than 45, so recognizing early warning signs of cancer and seeking timely medical attention is even more critical.
We know survival rates correlate to the cancer stage. With the recent increase in advanced-stage CRC incidences, 3 Steps Detect could be your most valuable tool to recognize common cancer symptoms. Ultimately, we want to help you get to a physician sooner − when CRC is most survivable.
Learn from other colorectal cancer survivors.
