Colorectal cancer isn't an 'old person's disease,' advocates warn. A stage 4 cancer survivor shares 5 things you should never do if you want to avoid the disease
Colorectal cancer is a serious health risk for many Canadians — including people under age 50. More than 25,200 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2024, making it the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Canada last year. Now, advocates want all provinces and territories to lower the screening age for the disease to 45.
"Our objective is to ensure that young Canadians do not ignore the signs and symptoms just because of their age and that they are aware of their family medical history and risk level, as we call on our provincial and territorial health ministries to lower the screening age for colorectal cancer throughout the country to 45," Barry Stein, president and CEO of Colorectal Cancer Canada, explains in a press release on Tuesday.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.
The non-profit adds that colorectal cancer might be perceived as an "old person's disease," but shares that early-onset colorectal cancer is on the rise and that cancer doesn't care about your age. Most new cases still occur in people age 50 and above, but Canadians born after 1980 are two to two-and-a-half times more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 compared to earlier generations.
According Colorectal Cancer Canada, 26 people die from the illness everyday on average, with around 69 people receiving a diagnosis daily. For 2024, it was estimated that 9,400 Canadians died from colorectal cancer, making up 11 per cent of all cancer deaths last year.
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Colorectal cancer cancer grows more slowly than some other cancer and can stay in the colon or rectum for months or even years. If left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body, but if found early, colorectal cancer can often be cured. This is why Stein points out that colorectal cancer can be preventable through lifestyle choices, awareness of symptoms and early screening.
In 1995, while juggling the demands of his legal career, Stein began noticing various concerning symptoms. Those included blood in his stool, migraines, abdominal pain and nausea, which he dismissed as related to stress.
"I was turning 41 at the time and had no idea what cancer even was," Stein recalls in a previous interview with Yahoo Canada. "People didn't say that word so much in 1995, let alone colorectal cancer. These were symptoms that came and went, so I ignored them."
It wasn't until he finally had a fecal occult blood test and colonoscopies that the diagnosis hit: Stage IV colorectal cancer, which had spread to his liver and lungs.
Still, Stein stresses a person's health doesn't have to get to this point; he shares five things Canadians should and shouldn't do to help prevent colorectal cancer.
Unexplained changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss or fatigue should never be symptoms you ignore.
These signs might also be linked to other gastrointestinal conditions, including ulcers, Crohn's disease or hemorrhoids, according to the Colorectal Cancer Canada website. That means "just because you have these symptoms doesn't mean you have colon cancer," Stein adds.
"But they are a reason to be checked out."
Regular screenings are important because colorectal cancer often develops from precancerous polyps, or growths in the colon or rectum. Catching and removing these polyps early can prevent them from becoming cancerous.
Starting at age 50, you should undergo routine fecal occult blood tests and colonoscopies. Even though everybody has the right to get screened starting at age 50, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer states the "screening participation rate across the country is still below the national target of 60 per cent."
Despite this, Colorectal Cancer Canada highlights that the screening guidelines have effectively reduced cancer rates in those over age 50, demonstrating their life-saving potential.
However, there is a rise in cases among younger adults, particularly those with a family history of colorectal cancer, Stein notes. These individuals are often diagnosed at a later stage because they are not getting screened and health-care professionals may not suspect cancer at a young age.
If you're under 50 and experiencing related symptoms, or have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, you may need to start screening early. "Speak to your doctor about your personal testing plan," the organization advises.
The Foods That Fight Cancer program by Colorectal Cancer Canada recommends eating a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These foods are high in fibre, which helps keep the digestive system healthy and can lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
In addition to these foods, the program advises limiting the intake of processed meats and red meat, which are associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer. It also recommends reducing the amount of alcohol and sugary beverages you drink. Highly processed foods should be minimized as well.
By making these dietary changes, the risk of developing colorectal cancer can be minimized, Stein points out.
Incorporate regular exercise into your routine, as physical inactivity is a significant risk factor for colorectal cancer. Stein highlights, "Having a sedentary lifestyle, in other words, being a couch potato, is a risk factor."
Staying active not only helps maintain a healthy weight but also reduces the risk of colorectal cancer. According to Colorectal Cancer Canada, regular physical activity can lower the risk by improving bowel function and reducing inflammation.
Discuss your family history of colorectal cancer with a health-care provider so you understand the risk. If you have a first-degree relative — such as a parent, sibling or child — who's had colorectal cancer, your risk is higher. Shared genetics and lifestyle factors contribute to this increased risk, according to Colorectal Cancer Canada.
Moreover, genetic syndromes like Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) can elevate your risk further. People with Lynch syndrome are more likely to develop colorectal cancer, often at a younger age. Other inherited conditions, like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), which causes numerous polyps in the colon and rectum, also heighten the risk.
"Your age and generic history of your family are risk factors that you can't control," Stein says, adding the goal is to focus on what can be controlled, like eating healthier foods and exercising.
Prevention is often more straightforward than treatment, which can be invasive and challenging. As Stein states, "it's so much easier to prevent something (than to treat it)."
"All you have to do is get a kit, poop in your toilet, send it to the lab with a little stick and you find out if it's positive," Stein explains.
If it does turn out positive, you would then go for a colonoscopy so that the polyp can be located.
"If there is a polyp, they remove it and you catch the cancer early. Otherwise, you go through what I went through, which is quite challenging, to say the least. And at worst, people die."
By focusing on early screening and prevention, potential issues can be caught early before developing into cancer, ultimately saving lives and reducing the burden of treatment.
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