Colon cancer has been among the fastest-growing cancers across the world. Even though it mostly occurs in those over 50 years of age, there has been an unprecedented rise in cases in younger people. Studies say the signs in youngsters are slightly different than typical patients with the disease.

New research has shown those diagnosed with the deadly cancer are more likely to know about it when the cancer has spread, perhaps because they dismiss the health changes and symptoms they had earlier.

The new study – conducted by Taiwan’s Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, looked at 5,000 people with colon cancer. Six in 10 under-50s suffered rectal bleeding before being diagnosed with the disease, compared to fewer than half of over-50s. Almost 60 per cent of youngsters with the disease also experienced changes in their toilet habits in the lead-up to or after a diagnosis, compared to 48 percent of older patients.

Doctors say the differing signs among the old and young patients match completely. Symptoms like rectal bleeding, changes in bowel habits, and abdominal pain were more common in young people than in those over 50 years who are undergoing treatment for the disease.

Researchers said their analysis showed a steady rise in early-onset colorectal cancer cases, with colon cancer increasing by 3.2 per cent and rectal cancer by 3.3 per cent.

Young patients with colorectal cancer have the most aggressive form of the disease like signet-ring cell and mucinous adenocarcinoma and were more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages - III and IV.

Even though surgery outcomes were similar, the five-year survival rate for stage IV early-onset colorectal cancer was lower than that for late-onset disease. "This study highlights a persistent rise in the incidence of early onset of colon cancer, with patients presenting with more aggressive disease and experiencing inferior survival," the authors wrote.

According to experts, colon or colorectal cancer starts in your large intestine - the long tube that helps carry digested food to your rectum and out of your body. It develops from certain polyps or growths in the inner lining of your colon. Doctors have screening tests that detect precancerous polyps before they can become cancerous tumours.

However, the cancer that does not get detected or treated spreads to other areas of your body.

A few common signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Blood in your stool
• Persistent changes in your bowel habits
• Abdominal pain
• Stomach bloating
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vomiting and nausea
• Fatigue and breathlessness

What causes colon cancer?

According to the study, an inactive lifestyle, certain bacteria linked to tumour growth, antibiotic use, and dietary additives could be potential risk factors for colon cancer, though these factors have not been conclusively proven as direct causes.

Smoking, high alcohol intake, and obesity are also linked to an increase in your risk of developing colon cancer at a younger age.

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