Young adults becoming increasingly prone to colorectal cancer

Recent studies have revealed that cases of colon and rectal cancer are on a steady rise among people under 50.

Also known as bowel cancer,  colorectal is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum.

It is caused by the abnormal growth of cells that have the ability to invade or spread to other parts of the body.

The rate among younger people is said to have increased by more than 11% between 2004 and 2014.

In 2016, about 135,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and about one in seven of them will be under 50, according to the American Cancer Society.

Researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center predicted last year that cases of colon cancer among people ages 20 to 34 will increase by 90% by 2030.

This means they expect the number of colorectal cancer diagnosis to more than double.

According to Durado Brooks, managing director of cancer control intervention at the American Cancer Society, the problem appears to be particularly pronounced among certain minority groups

“African-Americans are about twice as likely as whites to be diagnosed before the age of 50,” Brooks says.

“Young Alaska natives are diagnosed at 3 times the rate of whites. And this is not a uniquely American phenomenon. European nations and Australia are also seeing a rise.”

Even with the increase, the number of younger people diagnosed with the cancer is still relatively less than older people.