In the United States, among younger patients, colorectal cancer has become increasingly lethal. According to a study by the American Cancer Society, the mortality rate in the population aged 20-54 years has increased since 2004 after a significant decline in previous decades. This study was published in the Journal of American Medical Association. We talk about this topic with Professor Antonino Spinelli, head of the Operative Unit of Colorectal Surgery of the Humanitas Clinical Institute and professor at Humanitas University.

In general, mortality from colorectal cancer in the 20-54 age group fell dramatically from 6.3% per 100 thousand diagnosed in 1970 to 3.9% per 100 thousand diagnosed in 2004. Thereafter, there has been a gradual and progressive increase every year. In 2014 it reached the threshold of 4.3% every 100 thousand cases of colorectal cancer.

The data refer to almost 250 thousand people and have been taken from the National Center for Health Statistics and Information. This trend of increased mortality affects Caucasian individuals (4.1% in 2014) more than the African-American population. For the latter, although the mortality rate is higher, the trend is declining.

Recently, other studies have shown that the incidence of colorectal cancer has increased in younger patients of Caucasian origin since the 1990s.

Talk to your doctor more often

“The figure is surprising,” comments Professor Spinelli. Even if the study does not answer the question why, it stresses the importance of prevention through dialogue with your doctor. We don’t speak frequently enough – the specialist remembers – about our intestine and our intestinal habits”.

Bleeding, chronic abdominal pain, and changes in feces characteristics are symptoms that should not be underestimated. Very often they can be symptoms of benign pathologies, but it is always good to talk about them with your doctor,” he concludes.