Younger patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced (metastatic) stage of the disease. This is explained by the fact that our doctors do not jump to the conclusion that a young person has CRC, even when the patient exhibits the telltale symptoms of the malignancy. However, it seems that it is time to re-calibrate these expectations: certain diseases with adult onset in the past are now diagnosed in children and adolescents. Think about high blood pressure and diabetes type 2. The frightening realization is that cancer will become a more frequent diagnosis among the young. We are already witnessing this trend with CRC, and probably we will witness the same for other cancers that are associated with physical inactivity and obesity.
Consider the following report from this year: although the overall age-adjusted CRC incidence rate in the USA decreased by approximately one percent between 1975 and 2010, the incidence of CRC increased among 20 to 34 year-old individuals. If the current trend continues, by 2030, the incidence rates for colon and rectal cancers will increase with 90.0% and 124.2%, respectively, for patients 20 to 34 years [Bailey CE, et al. Increasing Disparities in the Age-Related Incidences of Colon and Rectal Cancers in the United States,1975-2010 JAMA Surg. 2015]. What are the likely causes of the trend? The authors of the study mention diet and physical inactivity.
Actionable
We need to start a “war on obesity”, rather than “war on cancer”? Is it smart to be at war with the consequences, rather than the causes? This mistaken enemy identity has lead us in the wrong direction for decades: we have unsuccessfully tried to cure cancer, an impossible act to perform at the advanced stages of the disease. However, we have not tried to prevent cancer, and this effort is likely to succeed for 75% of all cancer cases. War on the causes, rather than the consequences, is our best solution.
Consider the following report from this year: although the overall age-adjusted CRC incidence rate in the USA decreased by approximately one percent between 1975 and 2010, the incidence of CRC increased among 20 to 34 year-old individuals. If the current trend continues, by 2030, the incidence rates for colon and rectal cancers will increase with 90.0% and 124.2%, respectively, for patients 20 to 34 years [Bailey CE, et al. Increasing Disparities in the Age-Related Incidences of Colon and Rectal Cancers in the United States,1975-2010 JAMA Surg. 2015]. What are the likely causes of the trend? The authors of the study mention diet and physical inactivity.
Actionable
We need to start a “war on obesity”, rather than “war on cancer”? Is it smart to be at war with the consequences, rather than the causes? This mistaken enemy identity has lead us in the wrong direction for decades: we have unsuccessfully tried to cure cancer, an impossible act to perform at the advanced stages of the disease. However, we have not tried to prevent cancer, and this effort is likely to succeed for 75% of all cancer cases. War on the causes, rather than the consequences, is our best solution.
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