COLON CANCER INCIDENCE IS ON THE RISE, at least for those ages 50 to 54 years. That increase mirrors the reported increases in the colon and rectal cancer rates among individuals younger than 50 years. Researchers recently reported online the disturbing increase in the 50- to 54-year-old group.
The researchers examined trends in colorectal incidence among three cohorts: Individuals aged 45–49, 50–54, and 55–59 years using the US National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program.
Here are the findings for the period 1992–2018:
- For those 45 to 49, colorectal incidence rose from about 23 to 34 per 100,000 individuals.
- For those 50 to 54, colorectal incidence rose from about 46 to 64 per 100,000 individuals.
On the other hand, the incidence decreased for those ages 55 to 59, from 82 to 64 per 100,000.
Incidence rising for those in their early 50s
Speaking to Medscape Oncology, David Johnson, MD, professor of medicine and chief of gastroenterology at Eastern Virginia Medical School (USA), who also wasn’t involved in the…
