Children

NBC -  A new study shows that cases of colon cancer have dramatically risen among people too young for screening. Researchers looked at CDC data between 1999 and 2020 and found that diagnoses in kids ages 10 to 14 jumped by 500% between 1999 and 2020; more than 300% for teens 15 to 19; and 185% in people ages 20 to 24. Health experts said that such dramatic numbers could be the result of how rare colon cancer in young people continues to be — but agreed the jumps are still cause for concern.At the same time, diagnoses and deaths from the cancer once thought to only affect older people is decreasing in people in their 60s and beyond. “This reflects the changing face of colorectal cancer,” one expert said.Experts said the increase in colon cancer cases may be tied to food processing methods or exposure to plastics. Doctors recommend that people start getting routine colonoscopies at age 45, and those who are younger should know the symptoms and understand their family history. More