Gastrointestinal cancers increasing in young adults
Experts should not ignore persistent symptoms or sudden changes, says UCI Health gastroenterologist
IN THE NEWS: Gastrointestinal cancers, including gastric, colorectal, esophageal and pancreatic cancers, continue to rise in young adults worldwide. Studies show that survival outcomes are about the same or worse when compared with cases in older adults. Early detection is key to improving outcomes, says Dr. Robert Fearn, a gastroenterologist with the UCI Health Chao Digestive Health Institute.
He spoke with MedCentral about this growing population.
“Physicians should routinely ask patients about family history of gastrointestinal cancers, genetic syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease and lifestyle factors such as smoking and obesity.”
He also touched on the importance of not overlooking persistent symptoms.
“Persistent symptoms that occur for more than two weeks, such as rectal bleeding – especially when mixed with stool – changes in bowel habits, or unexplained anemia should never be overlooked. This can help us to flag risk years before most screening guidelines begin.”
Fearn is an assistant professor in the Division of Gastroenterology in the Department of Medicine at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. He is also affiliated with the new sports nutrition program at the UCI Health Chao Digestive Health Institute. A team of physicians and registered dietitians partner with patients to balance the microbiome and nutritiously fuel the body to maximize athletic performance, while also managing GI conditions.
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UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,317-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Medical Center, its flagship hospital in Orange, Calif., the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Medical Center provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).