Alarming Rise in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Recognizing Red Flag Signs for Timely Diagnosis

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnoses among individuals under the age of 50, a condition known as early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). Despite its growing prevalence, red flag signs and symptoms are often overlooked, resulting in diagnostic delays and potentially worse clinical outcomes. Recognizing these symptoms can facilitate quicker diagnoses and improve patient outcomes.

A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by Joshua Demb, PhD, MPH, and colleagues, published in JAMA Network Open, aimed to identify the frequency of red flag signs and symptoms in individuals with EOCRC, their association with EOCRC risk, and the duration between symptom presentation and diagnosis. The study included over 24 million patients under 50 years, with the data being collected from various databases up until May 2023.

The most frequently reported signs and symptoms among individuals with EOCRC were hematochezia, or rectal bleeding (45%), abdominal pain (40%), and altered bowel habits (27%). Notably, hematochezia was associated with at least a five-fold increased risk of EOCRC. The research also revealed a concerning delay in diagnosis of approximately 4 to 6 months from the time of initial presentation.

These findings highlight the critical need for both healthcare professionals and patients to be vigilant about EOCRC signs and symptoms, especially in younger individuals without an alternative diagnosis or resolution of symptoms. Timely diagnostic workup, including colonoscopy when warranted, is crucial for those presenting with concerning symptoms.

The study results emphasize the importance of adapting current clinical practice to efficiently identify and manage EOCRC, with a potential reduction in associated morbidity and mortality. Educating clinicians and the public about the importance of monitoring for these symptoms could lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment initiation. These efforts could mitigate the recent uptrend of CRC in the younger population and improve patient care on a larger scale.

For more information on the study and the detailed analysis carried out by Demb and the team, please refer to the open-access article published in JAMA Network Open on May 24, 2024 (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.13157).

Built with the help of Buoy Health.