Adults under the age of 50 who underwent colonoscopy were found to have a dramatically higher risk of having colon cancer when the procedure was done for rectum bleeding. The researchers found that rectum bleeding increased the chances of diagnosis of colon cancer by 8.5 times, stressing the need to take the symptom seriously, even if there is no family history in a population that cannot otherwise meet.
The research will be presented at the Clinical Conference of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) in Chicago, October 4-7.
The retrospective study analyzed 443 patients under 50 who underwent colonoscopy in the Louisville University Health System between 2021 and 2023.
Many of the colon cancers that begin to see that they do not have a family history. This research provides support to the question of who does or does not justify a colonoscopy: If you have a person under the age of projection with rectal bleeding, you should seriously consider a colonoscopy. ”
Sandra Kavalukas, MD, FACS, Senior Author, University Surgeon, University of Louisville School of Medicine in Louisville, Kedaki
Basic findings
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Care with symptoms: The overwhelming majority (88%) of patients who were later diagnosed with colon cancer underwent initial start was underwent colonoscopy due to symptoms, such as bleeding, compared to slightly more than half (55%) of non -cancerous patients.
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Limited role of genetics: Only 13% of cases of early colon cancer had an indicator often associated with hereditary syndromes, such as genetic changes occurring in certain colon cancers. A family history of colon cancer, while a factor was associated with only a double increased yields.
The study aims to help clinicians decide which young, symptomatic patients will benefit from diagnostic colonoscopy.
“If it is 35 and come with pain in the rectum, they probably do not need colonoscopy,” Dr. Kavalukas explained. “But if they come with bleeding complaints, they are 8.5 times more likely to have colon cancer.”
The findings face a crucial gap in the care for young adults, who are not eligible for ordinary control, but face the fastest increasing rates of colon cancer. The study provides data to support coverage for diagnostic colonoscopy in symptomatic young patients.
Instructions for the US Task Force Preventive Services recommend the colonoscopy test starting at the age of 45 for most people without a family history of the disease.
The research team is now working in a larger analysis aimed at creating a risk rating calculator.
The co-authors are Allie Jin, Ba. Jeremy Gaskins, Phd. Ramsey Amoudi, Bs. Marcus Bennett, b. Kailyn Deitz, Bs. Caroline Hourigan, BS; and Natalie Dupre, SCD.
Source:
Magazine report:
Kavalukas, S., et al. (2025) Risk factors and indicators for colon cancer early onset: retrospective analysis, scientific forum, clinical conference of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) 2025.
