While most colon and rectal cancer patients older than 50 are diagnosed in the early stages of disease, younger patients tend to be diagnosed at advanced stages, research suggests. Does this mean colorectal cancer initially is misdiagnosed in younger patients?
Kim Newcomer was knowledgeable about colon cancer; her father was diagnosed with the disease at age 46, she said. So after returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic in 2008, when she complained of constipation to her primary care physician, she was surprised that her doctor sent her home with laxatives instead of testing her for the cancer.
Colon cancer deaths rise among younger adults, and no one knows why"I spent the next few months just going to the doctor, trying to get a diagnosis. In the first four months, I probably saw six different doctors," Newcomer said."They couldn't find anything wrong with me even though I stressed that I had a family history of colorectal cancer. They thought I was just too young for it.
Cancer: The facts 01:00Although most colorectal cancer patients older than 50 are diagnosed in the early stages of disease, the new research revealed that most of the younger patients and survivors in the study, 71%, said they were diagnosed at the advanced stages of 3 and 4. That finding suggests that with no screening and awareness of the possibility of colorectal cancer at these ages, signs of their cancer may have gone missed in its early stages.
Often, when colorectal cancer symptoms emerge in younger adults, a physician might refer that patient to other doctors to get different opinions."If you are feeling worried about something and your doctor is not worried but your symptoms continue, it's always reasonable to get a second opinion. ... It's always good to be an advocate for yourself," Azad said.
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