Researchers draw attention to the increase in recent years in the number of early-onset colorectal cancer cases in men. The reason is not known, but researchers have identified six risk factors, according to a recent study, published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research and cited by Agerpres.
Although the number of cases of colorectal cancer (cancer that starts in the colon or rectum) has been on a downward trend among older people (over 55) since 2011, there is a 2% increase per year in the disease among men under the age of 50.
Reevaluating more than 600 medical records of men between the ages of 35 and 49, researchers from the American Association for Cancer Research identified six risk factors for early-onset colorectal cancer in men in a new study. The specialists took into account sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, family and personal medical history, physical measures, vital signs, medications and laboratory values up to 18 months before the case was diagnosed.
Here are the risk factors discovered through research:
1. Age. A first risk factor is age. The closer one is to the higher end of the 35-49 age range, the more the risk of developing this disease increases;
2. Not regularly using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen. If you do not take this type of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs frequently, the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer increases, which can be triggered by the existence of inflammatory bowel diseases;
3. Failure to regularly administer statins. Statins, drugs used to lower the level of bad cholesterol in the body, also help reduce the risk of having a serious cardiovascular accident. However, they must be taken regularly, as they can increase the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer;
4. Alcohol consumption;
5. Genetics. Finding the diagnosis of colorectal cancer in the family, in first or second degree relatives, increases the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer;
6. The existence of other conditions.
Anti-inflammatories could prevent colorectal cancer
The first signs of colorectal cancer in people under the age of 50 may appear two years before the diagnosis can be made, experts say. Even more, the results of this new study come to show the importance when it comes to prevention. Although alcohol consumption, age, and having a family member diagnosed with the disease were already known risk factors for colorectal cancer, the study lists two other, at least surprising, risk factors – not regularly using anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that reduce bad cholesterol level.
Dr. Paul Oberstein, deputy director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at Perlmutter Cancer Center USA, who has no involvement in the study we’re talking about, has an explanation: “Previous studies show us that by preventing inflammation with anti-inflammatories, we can prevent the development polyps and, in this way, the appearance of cancer,” the doctor explained to health.com, adding that he does not recommend everyone to take these drugs, which, although they reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, can increase the risk of other diseases. As for statins in colorectal cancer prevention, Oberstein was reserved, saying that research is ongoing.
According to ENCR (European Network of Cancer Registries) statistics, colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the countries of the European Union, after breast cancer. In Romania, according to data provided by Globocan (2020), it is the second most diagnosed cancer in women (after breast) and the third in men (after lung and prostate).
According to Globocan, almost 90,000 Romanians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2020. Among them, 13,000 are new cases and recently the incidence of the age at which this disease appears has decreased. That is why it has become extremely important to know the risk factors for the occurrence of this type of cancer, especially since early detection increases the chances of survival. Although the number of cases of colorectal cancer has increased, the highest number of deaths among people suffering from cancer is still recorded among lung cancer patients.
Colorectal cancer screening recommendations may vary by country and by specific medical guidelines. However, in general, screening for colorectal cancer is recommended around age 50 for people who are asymptomatic and without specific risk factors. For those who have diagnostic cases in the family, specialists recommend screening even 10 years earlier.
Given the increase in the number of colorectal cancer cases in the world and the decrease in the age of incidence, certain guidelines and medical organizations have begun to recommend performing this screening earlier, around the age of 45, for certain categories of people. For example, the American Cancer Society updated its guidelines back in 2018, recommending that people at average risk start screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. People at high risk, such as those with a family history of colorectal cancer or certain inflammatory bowel diseases, are advised to get screened even earlier, usually between the ages of 40 and 45.
2023-07-17 21:08:27
#increase #cases #colorectal #cancer #early #onset #men #Ziarul #Prahova #Prahova