A doctor, who treated a 22-year-old with colon cancer, shares what everyone should know about cancer symptoms

• One doctor said he was seeing an increasing number of colorectal cancer patients under the age of 45.

• He recently treated a 22-year-old patient with stomach pain. Her tumor was so large that it nearly blocked her colon.

• The symptoms of colon cancer can be subtle, so knowing the right screening options is crucial.

The patient is 22 years old, has just graduated from college, and suffers from inexplicable stomach pain.

She had been experiencing pain on and off for about a year, which she attributed to stress. She finished school, spent a busy summer working at an animal shelter, and was preparing to apply to veterinary school.

When she went to see her doctor, she was told to wait and see if the pain would go away on its own. But when it got so serious, she went to the emergency room. Scans revealed a tumor large enough to cause a near-blockage in her colon. She has no family history of the disease.

Dr. Mark Greenwald, who eventually treated the patient and wrote a case study about her care, said it was colon cancer: a growing concern among young patients.

Greenwald, director of colorectal clinical services and physician-in-chief at North Shore University Hospital in New York, told Business Insider that while colon cancer cases are declining in older adults, they are increasing in people under 45 as more younger cancer patients come to his hospital.

“There’s no doubt we’re going to see more of them,” he said. “The problem is, many of the symptoms are somewhat subtle. If someone develops new symptoms, regardless of age, they should seek medical attention.”

Greenwald said everyone should know the symptoms of cancer and cancer screening options so that the disease can be detected promptly and treated effectively.

Colon Cancer Symptoms Everyone Should Know

A few decades ago, cases of colon cancer in young people were rare.

Stomach pain and indigestion in patients in their 20s or 30s are often blamed on irritable bowel syndrome or treated as minor illnesses.

Today, colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in people under 50, prompting doctors and patients to be on high alert for possible symptoms.

Common symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Abdominal pain, even if not severe

• Change toilet habits

• Rectal bleeding (blood in the toilet, mixed with feces, or on toilet paper after wiping)

Most worryingly, in early-onset colon cancer, symptoms may be subtle or may not appear until the cancer has progressed.

Greenwald said his 22-year-old patient likely developed the tumor in his colon when he was a teenager, and the tumor may have continued to grow unnoticed for years.

“The most dangerous misconception is that I don’t have any symptoms, so I must be fine,” he said. “This is really the wrong attitude to have because if colorectal cancer is caught before symptoms appear, the chance of cure is much higher than if you wait for symptoms to appear.”

How to get tested for colon cancer

Cases of early-onset colon cancer include patients in their 40s, 30s, and even 20s. This is a problem because there are currently no screening guidelines for people under 45 years of age.

Colonoscopy is recommended starting at age 45 to help detect cancer and prevent it by removing any existing polyps or abnormal growths that may develop into tumors.

If you are too young to have regular colonoscopies, it is even more important to monitor any changes in your health and seek early screening if necessary.

Greenwald said patients sometimes delay or avoid colonoscopies because they’re anxious about the procedure or colonoscopy prep (though Business Insider health reporters have previously said it’s easier than you think).

There are also less invasive alternatives to colonoscopy, such as stool that can be collected at home and mailed to a lab. Blood tests for cancer are also being developed, although their reliability varies.

If you develop symptoms, even mild ones, such as changes in bowel habits or digestion, it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible and find testing options to rule out cancer.

“If you’re not going to have a colonoscopy, get some tests,” Greenwald said.

This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your qualified physician or healthcare provider.

Read the original article on Business Insider