A dramatic increase in the incidence of colon cancer in the US, particularly among children and adolescents, has been identified by researchers in a study to be presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference in the US.

Specifically, between 1999 and 2020 the rate of colon cancers increased by 500% in children aged 10-14, by 333% in adolescents aged 15-19 and by 185% in young adults aged 20-24.

Using data from the US Centers for Disease Control’s Wonder Database, researchers calculated trends in colorectal cancer rates for people aged 10-44 from 1999 to 2020.

In 2020 0.6 children aged 10-14 per 100,000 population were diagnosed with colorectal cancer compared to 0.1 per 100,000 in 1999. Diagnoses among adolescents aged 15-19 increased from 0.3 to 1.3 per 100,000 and in young adults aged 20-24 from 0.7 to 2 per 100,000.

The researchers clarify that the number of cases in children and adolescents is not high enough to recommend the widespread use of colonoscopies, but more individualized approaches should be considered.

Escalation was also seen at older ages, with rates increasing by 71% for 30-34 year olds, 58% for 35-39 year olds and 37% for 40-44 year olds.

The latter age group may have had the smallest percentage increase, but had the highest incidence of colon cancer reaching 20 cases per 100,000 people in 2020.

Risk factors include a family history of inflammatory bowel disease or colon cancer, while modifiable risk factors include obesity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and dietary habits such as low fiber intake, consumption of processed meats and sugary drinks, and high fat diet.

A sedentary lifestyle, the presence of bacteria that tend to cause tumors, the use of antibiotics, and food additives are possible but not firmly established factors that contribute to the risk of colon cancer.