Oncologists at Barcelona’s Hospital de la Vall d’Hebron report a concerning rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses. This increase affects patients under 50 years old. Clinical practice observations show a nearly 40% rise in young adult cases since before the pandemic.
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Young Patients Face Diagnostic Delays
Elena Élez, Head of the Digestive Tumour Unit at Vall d’Hebron, highlighted this dramatic shift. She stated that 20 years ago, such diagnoses were “anecdotal.” Now, however, they appear “almost every week.” This increase presents significant diagnostic challenges. Younger patients often require multiple consultations before doctors accurately detect the disease.
Meritxell Jané, a patient, experienced these difficulties firsthand. Doctors diagnosed her with colon cancer at 37 years old. This followed months of symptoms and incorrect diagnoses. Her tumour had already advanced locally and later metastasised. After years of extensive treatments, including surgeries, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, her disease has remained in remission since 2017.
Unclear Causes and Research Efforts
While Hospital de la Vall d’Hebron functions as a reference centre, receiving cases from across Catalonia, specialists confirm they also observe this trend within their local patient population. They insist this represents a real and worrying development. Official population registers have not yet fully reflected this increase. Epidemiological changes often manifest in clinical practice before appearing in official statistics, Élez explained.
Researchers are actively investigating the precise causes for this rise. Most tumours in younger patients do not stem from hereditary factors or unhealthy lifestyle habits. In fact, many affected individuals maintain active lifestyles. Scientists are therefore studying other potential factors. These include the microbiome, antibiotic use, specific environmental exposures, and possible alterations in the ageing of the colon’s epithelial lining.
Late Diagnosis a Major Concern
A significant problem arises because doctors typically associate colorectal cancer with older age. This often leads to a delayed diagnosis in younger individuals. Consequently, 70% of patients under 50 years old receive a diagnosis when their tumour has already advanced. Specialists advise people to seek medical consultation for specific symptoms. These include unexplained weight loss, persistent fatigue, anaemia, and any rectal bleeding.
Screening Programme Expansion Debated
Regarding screening, the current programme targets individuals aged 50 to 69. It offers a faecal occult blood test every two years. Authorities have decided to extend this programme to include people up to 74 years old. However, consensus has not yet emerged on lowering the initial screening age to 45. Élez believes that medical professionals must first demonstrate a real impact from such a measure.
Experts stress the priority of increasing participation in the existing screening programme. Current participation rates remain below 50%. This falls significantly short of the 65% recommended by European guidelines. They remind the public that this screening not only allows for early cancer detection but also prevents the disease. It enables the removal of polyps before they can evolve into cancer. Ultimately, specialists underscore the importance of prevention from childhood, advocating for healthy habits such as a balanced diet and regular physical activity.
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Originally published by VilaWeb Feed. Read original article.
