Young Dumb & Broke.

You can now add a largely-unrecognized increased risk for colorectal cancer to the list of afflictions of the non-elderly. Current recommendations to start screening at age 50 come from population data indicating incidence rates are much lower at 45-49 years than at 50-54 years. But considering the long lead time coupled with the fact patients aren't getting screened until 50...how do we know that? Indeed, this SEER analysis demonstrates a uniquely sharp relative increase of 46% in colorectal cancer rates from age 49 to 50 as opposed to all other yearly increments. What’s more, a whopping 92% of colorectal tumors caught at age 50 were invasive. TBL: Considering the years-long lead time of colorectal cancer, the uniquely high incidence of invasive cancers detected precisely at age 50 suggests screening at younger ages may be an effective primary prevention strategy. | Abualkhair, JAMA Netw Open 2020