A report earlier this year by the American Cancer Society identified an increase in colon and rectal incidence among younger generations, showing three in 10 colorectal cancer diagnoses now occur among people younger than 55 years. And people born as recently as 1990 have double the risk of colon cancer -- and quadruple the risk of rectal cancer, when compared to people born around 1950.
But this week -- an even more disturbing trend. In a follow up report, researchers discovered an escalation in deaths from colorectal cancer, for young and middle aged Americans.
Dr. Alok Khorana, an ocologist at the Cleveland Clinic, joined host Rick Jackson to discuss the new study -- and explore whether this new information might impact screening guidelines.
Additional Resources:
In March, the Sound of ideas explored colon cancer's incidence rates among young people with Dr. Khorana and a colon cancer patient who was diagnosed in her 20s. Listen to that conversation here.
We also covered conservation efforts by the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and looked at the push to expand Cleveland's tree canopy. Watch the full episode here.
Alok Khorana, MD, Hematology & Medical Oncology, Cleveland Clinic