Colorectal cancer rare but rising among millennials, Gen X

WASHINGTON (AP) — Colorectal cancer mostly strikes middle-aged and older people, but new research shows a disturbing rise in cases among young adults.

The cancer society has long known cases were rising among young people, but the study published Tuesday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute took a closer look — and found rectal cancer is driving the problem.

[...] someone born in 1990 appears to have double the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer as the generation born in 1950, Siegel said.

Risk factors include obesity, lack of physical activity, a diet high in red or processed meat and low in fruits and vegetables, smoking, heavy alcohol use, having inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colorectal cancer.

Symptoms include blood in stool; changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of stool that lasts more than a few days; unintended weight loss; and cramps or abdominal pain.