Our Center is among the first in the country dedicated solely to colon and rectal cancer in young adults diagnosed before age 50. Here, we understand the unique set of needs and emotions an early-onset colorectal cancer diagnosis can bring.
Are you over age 50? Patients diagnosed over the age of 50 are encouraged to visit Dana-Farber’s Colon and Rectal Cancer Center.
What is Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer (CRC) originates in the large intestine – which includes the colon and the rectum – and occurs when cells mutate. The colon is the first six feet of the large intestine, while the remaining several inches form the rectum. You may hear these cancers referred to individually as colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where the cancer starts. Colorectal cancer is a name that encompasses both diseases.
Colorectal cancer patients are considered young- or early-onset if they are diagnosed before they turn 50 years old. By the year 2030, colon cancer incidence is expected to double, and rectal cancer incidence is expected to quadruple in this age group.
Risk factors for young-onset colorectal cancer include: a family history of colorectal cancer, a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, and environmental and lifestyle-related factors such as lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
