Colon cancer rates for adults under 50 continue to increase
Colonoscopy screening recommendation lowered to age 45 to catch possible cancers earlier
IN THE NEWS: Colorectal cancer rates continue to increase in adults under the age of 50. The American Cancer Society now recommends that all adults under the age of 45 are screened via a colonoscopy or another type of test. Early detection can lead to less invasive treatment and an improved overall outcome.
NBC 4 Los Angeles spoke with Dr. Jason Samarasena, a gastroenterologist with UCI Health, to discuss what people need to know about increasing colorectal cancer rates.
“Colon cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in individuals under 50 in the U.S. In this age group, the incidence of colon cancer is increasing about 3% every year.”
Samarasena also spoke about how he’s educating his own group of friends about the importance of annual screenings.
“I texted my friends today. I said I love them but that I need them to get screened for colon cancer this year. The responses were kind of humorous. But at the same time, I think my text hit home.”
Samarasena specializes in treating gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophageal disease, pancreatic cysts, biliary tract disorders, gastric intestinal metaplasia and colorectal cancer.
He is a director of advanced endoscopic imaging at the Chao Family Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center.
Samarasena is also a professor of clinical medicine and chief of the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology at the UC Irvine School of Medicine.
Watch the report
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,461-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Health — Orange, its flagship hospital, the UCI Health — Irvine acute care hospital and 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 Health — Orange 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).