Colorectal cancer rising in young adults. Should the screening age be lowered?
Global News
There are growing calls to start screening earlier for colorectal cancer in Canada and some provinces are considering it amid an 'alarming' increase in cases among young adults.
There are growing calls to start screening earlier for colorectal cancer in Canada and some provinces are considering it amid an “alarming” increase in cases among young adults.
“The incidence of colorectal cancer among young adults under 50 years of age has rapidly climbed in recent years, challenging conventional perceptions of this disease as being a disease of older adults,” said Colorectal Cancer Canada in a statement Monday.
“This alarming reality serves as a stark reminder that vigilance and advocacy are paramount in the fight against colorectal cancer.”
A petition started by a patient and signed by thousands of people was tabled in Ontario’s provincial legislature last week, calling for the age criteria used for the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and colonoscopy to be lowered to 30 from 50.
The petition started by Bishop Brigante, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer last fall, says lowering the age criteria for screening will save lives.
“We urge medical professionals, policymakers, and healthcare providers to consider the strong evidence supporting the need for this change,” the petition states.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer in Canada and the second deadliest, according to data recently published by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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