New information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Cancer Society shows that the number of people under 50 who have colon cancer is going up at an alarming rate.
This increase is happening in 27 nations, including parts of Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia. Statistics from Cancer Research in the UK suggest that one in twenty occurrences of colon cancer now happens to those under 50.
Dr. Zion, who has hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) herself, sent an urgent message on TikTok about the escalating incidence.
Dr. Zion, who goes by the name @dr.zionko on the site, works hard to get the word out about early detection, especially for young individuals. She stressed that colon cancer is not just a problem for elderly individuals and that it is important to find symptoms early.
This is personal for me as a clinician and someone with HNPCC. “Colon cancer doesn’t just happen to ‘old people’—it’s becoming more common in young adults, and we’ve seen how early detection can save lives,” she said.
Dr. Zion said that young individuals should never disregard these five important signs:
1. Change in how you go to the bathroom
Dr. Zion told people to see their GP if they notice that their bowel habits are changing in a way that doesn’t go away. This includes changes in size, color, texture, or how often it happens.
2. Not enough iron
If you have unexplained iron deficiency and symptoms like weariness, pale complexion, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations, it could be a warning sign.
3. Blood in Your Feces
Dr. Zion said that anyone who has blood in their stool, whether it’s brilliant red or dark black, should consult a doctor very soon.
4. Losing weight without meaning to
Dr. Zion said that unexplained weight loss should never be ignored, even though it isn’t the only sign of colon cancer. This symptom could mean that something else is wrong that needs to be looked into.
5. Pain in the stomach
If you have abdominal discomfort, whether it’s subtle or acute, you should see a doctor. Dr. Zion says you should see a doctor to find out what’s wrong, especially if the pain doesn’t go away or gets worse.
Dr. Zion’s main piece of advice for everyone is simple: don’t be scared to look at your feces, talk about it, and ask questions since we all poop. Don’t wait if anything doesn’t feel right. She said that screening can make the difference between discovering cancer early and too late, especially if you have a family history.
Dr. Zion’s message is clear: it’s really important to find things early, and paying attention to what your body is telling you can make a big difference in how things turn out.