Colorectal cancer in kids: Parents need to know THIS

Studies have indicated that kids are becoming more frequently affected by colorectal cancer in the United States.

There were notable increases in colorectal cancer cases among children between 1999 and 2020, according to a recent 22-year examination of data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

During that time, the rate of colorectal cancer increased by 500% in children ages 10 to 14, 333% in teenagers ages 15 to 19, and 185% in young adults ages 20 to 24. 

Later this month, during Digestive Disease Week, the data will be presented.

It's critical to emphasise how uncommon these situations are in total. For instance, the number of children diagnosed with colorectal cancer aged 10 to 14 dropped to 0.6 per 100,000 in 2020 from 0.1 per 100,000 in 1999. 

The incidence rose from 0.3 to 1.3 cases per 100,000 in teenagers and from 0.7 to 2 cases per 100,000 in young adults.

Doctors nevertheless advise being aware of these cases spiking up.

"These findings are definitely alarming," Dr Tiago Biachi, a medical oncologist in the Gastrointestinal Oncology Department at Moffitt Cancer Center, told Yahoo Life.

Following is what parents need to know about this.

The cause of the rise in colorectal cancer cases among younger individuals is unknown. But there are a few things to remember, according to Biachi.

"It is well known that the process to develop a 'non-inherited' colorectal cancer takes time and the usual interval between a polyp and cancer is five to 10 years," Biachi said. 

"That means that these children developing colorectal cancer were likely exposed to risk factors since their very young age."

According to Hyams, if your child exhibits changes in bowel habits with either constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding and signs of iron deficiency anemia, they may be caused by something else other than colorectal cancer.