Trends in childhood colorectal cancer are a cause for concern, doctors clarify this

Jakarta –

Colorectal or colon cancer has long been associated with disease in the elderly, especially those over the age of 65. However, since the 1990s, the incidence or frequency of cases has been increasing among adults under the age of 50 years.

Tufts University gastroenterologist Joel Mason revealed that rectal bleeding during bowel movements, as well as iron deficiency anemia, are common symptoms of colon cancer at a young age.

“I don’t want to raise the anxiety levels of the younger generation, but the trend is very worrying and it might be worth making our young population a little more aware of the signs to look out for,” he was quoted as saying. by the NY Post.

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open also reported that 29 percent of people in the US have total or functional iron deficiency. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans may have an undiagnosed iron deficiency.

“Total iron deficiency, which is particularly common among women, children, vegetarians and vegans, is characterized by a significant reduction or absence of iron “sources”, according to the American Society of Hematology.

In functional iron deficiency, there are sufficient iron stores but the body cannot use them efficiently. Iron deficiency can weaken the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight disease.

Symptoms of iron deficiency include fatigue, weakness, cold extremities, chest pain, pale skin, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches and cravings for non-sensical objects such as ice, dirt, paper and even clay .

A lack of iron can cause anemia, a condition where the number of red blood cells is low because the body struggles to absorb iron. A person who does not eat foods rich in iron can lose more blood than the body can replace.

Foods rich in iron include red meat, poultry, fish, spinach, nuts, whole grains and eggs.

“Anemia occurs in 30 to 75 percent of colorectal cancer patients,” according to a 2023 study.

On the other hand, studies have found that consuming too much iron​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​. Researchers suspect that tumors use too much iron to stimulate their growth.

Too much iron can also accumulate in the liver and cause poisoning. This is why a careful balance must be found between iron deficiency and iron excess.

“Emerging evidence suggests that decreased iron intake and low levels of systemic iron are associated with the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer, suggesting that the iron intake must is best carefully balanced to avoid both iron deficiency and iron excess,” wrote the scientists in Germany in a 2021 study published in Frontiers in Immunology.

(drink/knee)