A recent study highlights that patients under 50 experiencing rectal bleeding are 8.5 times more likely to have colorectal cancer, emphasizing the importance of not ignoring this symptom regardless of age or family history.

Most early-onset colorectal cancer cases are not linked to known genetic factors, as genetic markers associated with hereditary syndromes were present in only 13%, and family history only doubled the risk.

Most young patients diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer (88%) underwent colonoscopy due to symptoms like bleeding, with a significant majority having no family history, underscoring the need for symptom-driven diagnosis.

The link between rectal bleeding and colorectal cancer is particularly strong among patients under 50, with 70% having no family history, and 88% of these patients undergoing colonoscopy because of symptoms rather than routine screening.

Researchers are developing a risk score calculator to better identify at-risk young adults outside traditional screening criteria, aiming to improve early detection and inform clinical decisions.

Lifestyle factors, such as being a former smoker, nearly doubled the odds of early-onset colorectal cancer, indicating that modifiable risk factors play a significant role.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with a 53.9% survival rate over ten years, and over half of cases are considered preventable through lifestyle changes like diet, reduced alcohol and smoking, increased fiber, and physical activity.

Current screening guidelines recommend starting routine screening at age 45, but the study emphasizes the importance of diagnostic colonoscopies based on symptoms in younger populations who are not yet eligible for routine screening.

A retrospective study of 443 patients under 50 at the University of Louisville from 2021 to 2023 found that 44% were diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer, most lacking a family history or genetic markers.

The findings support the need for clinicians to consider colonoscopy in symptomatic young adults, especially those with rectal bleeding, even if they are below the traditional screening age.

This research highlights the necessity to reconsider screening guidelines, particularly for symptomatic young adults, as current protocols mainly target older populations or those with a family history.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer include rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, lumps, weight loss, abdominal pain, fatigue, and bowel obstruction, which should prompt medical consultation.