Colorectal cancer is among the most diagnosed in Italy with around 50 thousand new cases a year, but the increase among those under 50 is worrying. Data, symptoms and importance of screening in light of the Van Der Beek case.
The tumor at colon rectumwhich affected the protagonist of Dawson’s Creek in 2023 and which unfortunately led to his death, is one of the most widespread neoplasms in the world and one of the main causes of oncological death, even among young people: over 9.6% of all cancers diagnosed globally are colorectal and the disease remains among the top three for incidence and mortality. In Italy the disease continues to significantly impact public health, with approximately 50,000 new cases per yearpositioning itself at second place among the most frequent neoplasms in women and third in men
In recent years the disease, historically associated with advanced age, has shown a worrying upward trend in young adults under 50: approximately today 1 in 10 cases of colorectal cancer is diagnosed before the age of 50with increases in incidence among the under 50s estimated up to1.4% per year and projections predicting that by 2030 an ever-increasing share of cases will affect this age group. There net survival five years after diagnosis is approximately 65%but exceeds 90% when the disease is intercepted in the initial phase. This data strongly underlines how early diagnosis is crucial for improving the prognosis. Van der Beek at the time of diagnosis he was only 46 years old, and the cancer had already reached stage three.
In our country, screening programs for colorectal cancer are mainly aimed at the population between 50 and 69 years of age, with some Regions extending the invitation up to 74 years of age. The most used test is the search for occult blood in the feces every two years, followed by colonoscopy in case of positivity. However, adherence to screening programs is still not optimal and hovers just above 50%, leaving a large margin for improvement in secondary prevention.
Growth of colorectal cancer in under 50s
Most of these young-onset cancers are sporadic, i.e not associated with either genetic or familial factorstherefore they arise in patients without risk factors. Projections estimate a 90% increase in cases in the 20-39 age group by 2030. It is therefore very important to promote prevention in young people and raise their awareness not only to act on modifiable risk factors (diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity) but also to early recognition of symptoms.
Symptoms of colorectal cancer: signs not to be underestimated
Colorectal cancer can develop silently in the early stages. However There are symptoms that should not be ignoredespecially in young people who tend not to consider themselves at risk. Rectal bleeding or the presence of blood in the stool represents one of the most significant warning signs. Also a persistent change in bowel habits, such as prolonged diarrhea or constipation, recurrent abdominal painsense of incomplete emptying, involuntary weight loss and marked tiredness may be signs of an underlying pathology.
In people under 50 these symptoms are sometimes attributed to benign disorders such as hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndromewith the risk of delaying the diagnosis. Precisely for this reason scientific societies insist on the importance of not underestimating the warning signs, regardless of age.
