Learning About Life-Saving Screening for Colon Cancer
- Cheers star Kirstie Alley was 71 years old when she died from colon cancer in December 2022. It was unfortunately discovered much too late. Usually more associated with men, it’s important to know that women can and do get this disease. And it’s easy to prevent it getting to an advanced stage if you get screened.
- Overall, colorectal cancer (colon cancer and rectal cancer) mortality continues to decline. But with one in five new cases now occurring in people in their early 50s or younger, we have to adapt to the shifting patient population.
- Early detection through routine testing is crucial for successful treatment, as the 5-year survival rate for individuals with early stage colorectal cancer is 90%. By increasing awareness about the risks of colorectal cancer, promoting regular screening and advocating for healthy lifestyle choices, we can work towards reducing the impact of this disease.
Usually more associated with men, it’s important to know that women can and do get this disease. And it’s easy to prevent it getting to an advanced stage if you get screened.
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“To all our friends, far and wide around the world … We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” the Instagram post read.
RELATED: The Shock of Losing Actress Kirstie Alley To Colon Cancer At Age 71
“She was surrounded by her closest family and fought with great strength, leaving us with a certainty of her never-ending joy of living and whatever adventures lie ahead. As iconic as she was on screen, she was an even more amazing mother and grandmother.”
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The photo featured a smiling Alley posed on an aqua and white bicycle in a backyard surrounded by lush greenery.
Up until her death, Alley lived in Clearwater, Florida, right outside of Tampa. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Alley lived in an estate she purchased from Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley’s daughter who passed away last year.
Why Are Younger People Getting Diagnosed with Colon Cancer?
Alley’s diagnosis shortly before her death at 71 almost perfectly aligns with the documented average age at the time of diagnosis for colon cancer: 68 for men and 72 for women, according to the American Cancer Society. However, there’s a concerning trend of more and more younger people being diagnosed colorectal cancer.
But why the shift? According to Dr. Heather Yeo, a surgical oncologist who specializes in colorectal cancers at Weill Cornell Medicine, it could be caused by variety of things.
“We don’t know for sure why we are seeing earlier onset and death from colon cancer,” Dr. Yeo told SurvivorNet. “It is likely a combination of factors, including diet and genetics as well as access to care and some environmental factors.”
Alcohol and colon cancer risk
Researchers are pursuing several possible theories for the shift including diet, gut bacteria and inflammation. Some of the less-surprising evidence links an unhealthy diet high in processed meats and fat and low in fruits and vegetables with early-onset colon cancer. Being overweight or obese as well as living a sedentary lifestyle may also raise your risk for an earlier diagnosis.
RELATED: Diet and Health: Foods that Might Prevent Colon Cancer
Lesser known theories point to the idea that certain types of bacteria that grow in your gut may promote colorectal cancer. Studies also suggest that other gut bacteria could influence the effectiveness of cancer treatment. That being said, it’s crucial to know that an unhealthy lifestyle increases levels of harmful bacteria and decreases levels of beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Chronic inflammation which can be caused by a poor diet, stress, trauma, or other underlying conditions may also promote cancer. In recent years, researchers have looked deeper into the role that air and water pollution, pesticides and other chemicals in the environment might play in early-onset colorectal cancer risk.
Overall, colorectal cancer mortality continues to decline. But with one in five new cases now occurring in people in their early 50s or younger, we have to adapt to the shifting patient population.
And a part of that adapting means looking into how these earlier-onset colorectal cancers differ from the later onset ones.
“Early-onset colorectal cancers seem to be more aggressive, and found at later stages in younger adults, but they are not necessarily more fatal if they are caught early,” Dr. Yeo said.
And patients younger than 50 years are more likely to be women. Younger patients are more likely to present with hematochezia (rectal bleeding) and abdominal pain at least in part because of the predominance of left-sided tumors.
Screening for Colon Cancer
When you have a colonoscopy for colon cancer screening, the gastroenterologist performing the procedure is looking at the inside of your colon to detect polyps.
Polyps are small growths in the colon that are not yet cancerous, but have the potential to develop into cancer. A polyp that is found during a colonoscopy is removed, which can actually prevent the development of cancer. A pathologist determines if it is a benign polyp or if it is colon cancer. Almost all polyps that are removed are precancerous, meaning that they have not yet progressed to cancer.
Looking for polyps during a colonoscopy
Early detection through routine testing is crucial for successful treatment, as the 5-year survival rate for individuals with early stage colorectal cancer is 90%. By increasing awareness about the risks of colorectal cancer, promoting regular screening and advocating for healthy lifestyle choices, we can work towards reducing the impact of this disease. For those at average risk, the ACS recommends the following screening schedule:
- Begin regular screening at age 45
- Continue regular screening through age 75 if in good health
- For individuals ages 76 to 85, the decision to continue screening should be based on prior screening results, overall health, and life expectancy
- Individuals over 85 should no longer be screened
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Explaining symptoms, Dr. Paul Oberstein, medical oncologist and assistant director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet “the most common sign of colon cancer is a change in bowel habits.”
“That could range from constipation or diarrhea to changes in the size or shape of bowel movements,” Dr. Oberstein explained. “You could also notice a change in stool color, particularly black or tarry stools, which can indicate bleeding from a tumor deep in the colon.”
Even if you have zero symptoms and feel completely healthy, it’s critical to get in and get checked. Schedule your appointment today.
Contributing by SurvivorNet staff.
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