COLUMBIA, S.C. — This week–the American Cancer Society published its latest report, predicting what cancer cases will look like in 2024.
Colon cancer is still one of the leading cancer diagnoses among individuals of both sexes, and the American Cancer Society estimates almost 2,600 people in the state will be diagnosed with the disease this year.
However, new statistics show younger people are experiencing higher rates of diagnoses around the nation.
"We've been doing a lot of research. A lot of groups are looking at different factors like dietary or physical factors, but we have not yet really truly identified factors that influence early-onset colorectal cancer," said Annie Thibault, the executive director of the Colorectal Cancer Prevention Network at USC.
Thibault said transparency and discussing colon cancer history with loved ones can save lives.
"People that have colorectal cancer tend to also feel stigma and don't necessarily talk about their diagnosis either," Thibault said. "Understanding your family history plays a huge key in understanding early-onset colorectal cancer."
However, family history is only one determining factor.
"Some of the things we are seeing in South Carolina through the colorectal cancer prevention network is people who are low income and uninsured tend to have greater incidence of adenomas," she said.
Adenomas are how colon cancer starts. If not found, they can grow and become cancerous.
Signs of colon cancer include:
A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation.
Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain.
A feeling that the bowel doesn't empty during a bowel movement.
To help decrease numbers, Thibault urged people to get screened and break the stigma of colon cancer by talking to family or doctors about signs or symptoms.
"I think, if people know what the signs and symptoms of colon cancer are if they understand to talk openly about some of the signs and symptoms they're seeing and talk with a family member," Thibault said.