Apples for Health- Colorectal cancer up among those under 50

Colorectal cancer up among those under 50

ATLANTA, June 8 (UPI) -- Colorectal cancer rates are dropping nationwide but the incidence among U.S. adults younger than age 50 has increased, researchers found.

The study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention, said further studies are necessary to elucidate causes for this trend and to identify potential prevention and early detection strategies.

Study leader Rebecca L. Siegel and colleagues theorized that the increases may be related to rising rates of obesity and changes in dietary patterns, including increased consumption of fast-food. A diet high in fast-food is associated with both greater meat consumption and reduced milk consumption.

The researchers looked at trends in colorectal cancer incidence rates between 1992 and 2005 among young adults ages 20-49 by sex, race/ethnicity, age, stage at diagnosis and anatomic subsite.

The study found that among people ages 20-49, incidence rates of U.S. colorectal cancer increased 1.5 percent per year in men and 1.6 percent per year in women from 1992 to 2005.

The researchers also found the largest annual percent increase in colorectal cancer incidence was in the youngest age group, ages 20-29, in whom incidence rates rose by 5.2 percent per year in men and 5.6 percent per year in women.