While we are in the middle of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, we learn that the disease is on the rise among people under 45 years old. A trend has been detected since 1995 in several industrialized countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Of the 300 cases treated at the CHUM per year, there were 10% in 2006. Last year, they represented 17% of cases.
“We don’t really know the cause, but there seems to be a greater percentage among younger people.”
Dr. Carole Richard, head of the digestive surgery department at the CHUM
Diet, inflammation, and the microbiome (gut flora), or a combination of the three, could have something to do with it.
Between 10 and 20% of younger patients have a genetic predisposition to suffer from this disease, but the vast majority of patients aged 50 and under have no obvious risk factors.
Younger patients will often have a more advanced form of the disease when they are finally diagnosed, says Dr. Richard.
Yesterday, the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, the Château Frontenac in Quebec City and the ByWard Market in Ottawa were among the facilities that were illuminated in blue to honor those affected.
With The Canadian Press