A report, published by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, examined the rapidly growing early-onset colorectal cancer population.
The CCA surveyed 992 early-onset colorectal cancer survivors for its report.
Here are 10 insights into early onset CRC:
1. Approximately 82 percent of respondents were initially misdiagnosed before receiving a colorectal cancer diagnosis.
2. Seventy-one percent of respondents said they were diagnosed with colon cancer. Twenty-eight percent said they were diagnosed with rectal cancer.
3. Early-onset CRC is growing, approximately 58 percent of respondents said they were diagnosed between the ages of 40-and 49-years-old.
4. Seventy-three percent of respondents were diagnosed when their cancer was either stage III or stage IV.
5. Approximately 46 percent of respondents are now disease free.
6. Early-onset patients experienced a bevy of symptoms. The top three that caused them to visit their provider were:
- 47 percent had blood in their stool
- 44 percent had diarrhea or constipation
- 44 percent had persistent cramps
7. Fifteen percent of respondents said an emergency room physician ordering an emergency colonoscopy led to their diagnosis.
8. Concerning family histories, 62 percent of respondents did not have a family history of CRC, while 10 percent did have a family history but were unaware of it.
9. Forty-five percent of respondents had a child under the age of 10 when they were diagnosed.
10. Approximately 67 percent needed to visit at least two physicians before being accurately diagnosed.