photo by: LMH Health

LMH Health, 325 Maine St., is pictured in May 2021.

You don’t get colon cancer during your 30s or 40s, right? Wrong.

Rising rates of colorectal cancer among younger generations show otherwise. This was brought home when actor James Van Der Beek died from the disease at age 48.

UNDERSTANDING COLON CANCER

Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum. You’ll often hear it called colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where it starts. Most of these cancers begin as polyps, which are growths on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.

Van Der Beek’s case reflects a concerning trend. A January 2026 American Cancer Society report confirms that colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for people in the United States under age 50.

“Early-onset colorectal cancer, which is diagnosed in people before age 50, now represents 14% of all colorectal cancer cases – an increase of 2% each year,” said Dr. Alka Hudson, a gastroenterologist with Lawrence GI Consultants.

If people are diagnosed at an earlier age, aren’t the number of new colorectal cancer diagnoses rising? Hudson said that’s not the case.

“We’ve got this dichotomy where we’re seeing increased rates in the younger population, while the older population is decreasing,” she said.

What is behind these trends? Hudson explained that it may be due to a combination of factors including:

• Obesity

• More than two alcoholic drinks per day

• High intake of red or processed meat

• Western dietary patterns (high‑fat dairy, refined grains, sugary beverages)

• Smoking

• Sedentary lifestyle

“We can’t point to just one of these areas and say, ‘this is the answer,’ but lifestyle certainly plays a big role,” she said.

PROTECT YOURSELF

If there’s not a single cause that increases your risk of developing colorectal cancer, what can you do to reduce your risk?

Dr. Hudson said you can add in things that can be protective, including:

Get active: 150-300 minutes per week can reduce the risk of early‑onset colorectal cancer risk by 29%.

Improve your diet: Increase the fiber, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains you consume.

Add calcium and dairy: A UK study shows that consuming an extra 300 mg of calcium daily can be linked to a 17% reduced risk.

Include Vitamin D: Higher intake is associated with 51% lower risk of early‑onset colorectal cancer.

Stop smoking: Quit all forms of tobacco use, including vaping.

SCREENING IS KEY

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends adults with an average risk of developing colorectal cancer begin screening at age 45. It’s even earlier for those with:

• First-degree relatives with colon cancer or advanced adenomas (polyps larger than 10 mm)

• Prior abdominal or pelvic radiation

• Childhood cancers

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

• Hereditary syndromes or cystic fibrosis

“If you’ve got a family history of colon cancer in a first-degree relative, you should start getting screened at either age 40 or 10 years earlier than the age they were diagnosed,” said Dr. Hudson. “Talk with your primary care provider to see what’s right for you.”

Colonoscopies are the most thorough screening tool for prevention and early detection. They have a 95% sensitivity rate, meaning colonoscopies can detect over 95% of advanced adenomas and polyps.

“They really are the gold standard. We are able to diagnose and remove pre-cancerous polyps in a single procedure,” Dr. Hudson said.

Alternative testing methods are available for those who aren’t able or willing to undergo a colonoscopy but be aware. They also come with drawbacks.

Stool-based tests such as Cologuard can be done from the comfort of home, but they also have a 13% false-positive rate. If you have a positive result, you will need to follow up with a gastroenterologist – and that can come with a cost.

“Insurance pays for screening colonoscopies. If you do the Cologuard and it is positive, that is your screening test,” Dr. Hudson explained. “The next step is diagnostic colonoscopy. If you have a deductible, you are facing an increased cost and another test when the screening colonoscopy is fully covered by your insurance.”

CT colonography is a test that uses a CT scan to take cross-sectional images of the organs in your abdomen. The test finds large polyps but is less effective at finding smaller lesions – and you must complete the same bowel prep that you do for a colonoscopy.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is like a partial colonoscopy that looks at the lower third of your large intestine. In Western culture, that’s the portion of your intestine where more polyps are found. Dr. Hudson said the test is more limited in detecting advanced polyps, as many arise on the right side. The sigmoidoscopy does not look at that portion of the intestine.

“Screening saves lives, and the best test is the one you actually do,” Dr. Hudson said.

SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD NEVER IGNORE

Colorectal cancer might not cause symptoms right away. Watch for these warning signs:

• Persistent changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool (Van Der Beek noted this was his first symptom)

• Rectal bleeding with bright red or dark blood

• Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black

• Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain

• Weakness and fatigue

• Unintended weight loss

• Iron-anemia

Hudson said if you notice symptoms, it is important to advocate for yourself. Talk with your doctor about a referral for a colonoscopy.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR

During a colonoscopy, your gastroenterologist looks for changes to the lining of your large intestine, including inflammation, lesions and polyps. If precancerous or larger lesions appear, they can often be removed during the procedure using advanced techniques like endoscopic mucosal resection.

Large or suspicious masses are biopsied and sent to the pathology laboratory. If the results show something cancerous, the pathologists, oncologists and surgeons at LMH Health collaborate to accelerate your care.

“LMH provides coordinated care close to home. From surgery to oncology, next steps and treatment can happen right here in our community,” Dr. Hudson said. “If additional support is ever needed, we have a strong partnership with The University of Kansas Health System to ensure patients receive comprehensive care.”

As early-onset cancers increasingly occur in otherwise healthy, active adults, awareness is more critical than ever. Don’t ignore the signs that something may be wrong, and don’t be afraid to talk about it.

“The best way to beat colorectal cancer is to prevent it,” Dr. Hudson said. “Lead a healthy lifestyle, pay attention to your symptoms and get screened. You have the power to reduce your risk.”

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

LMH Health’s Lawrence GI Consultants can now schedule screening colonoscopies within two weeks–a significant improvement over past wait times. Talk to your primary care provider about a referral.

Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, which is a major sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World health section.