Milwaukee surgeon sees rise in colorectal cancer cases affecting young adults

Milwaukee surgeon sees rise in colorectal cancer cases affecting young adults

Aurora Health Dr. Kate Vasconcellos says she is seeing a concerning trend of patients in their 20s and 30s with colorectal cancer.

A Milwaukee surgeon says she's seeing an increase in younger patients needing treatment for colorectal cancer. It's a concerning trend doctors are noticing nationwide, and colorectal cancer is now the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States.According to research by the American Cancer Society in 2023, diagnoses of people under 55 years of age with advanced-stage colorectal cancer nearly doubled from 11 percent in 1995 to 20 percent in 2019."How young are we talking when we say that these are young adults?" asked WISN 12 News' Mallory Anderson."Thirties is really common, but I have seen a few patients in their twenties," said Dr. Kate Vasconcellos, an Aurora Health colorectal surgeon.Right now, it's unclear what's causing the rise, but recent research is pointing to environmental factors, not genetics, as many patients being treated have no family history of colorectal cancer. "It's been kind of heartbreaking to see patients younger than myself who have had symptoms for months, or even years," said Vasconcellos. "And because they're young, they didn't really try to get it evaluated or anything. Then, they end up ultimately needing surgery, more treatment. It's becoming more apparent, and it's pretty scary."The biggest symptoms to watch out for are changes in your bowel movements, especially if blood is spotted consistently, along with abdominal pain."I think if you're having any symptoms, it's always a great idea to get checked out, because at least that gives you peace of mind if it is something that's normal or not concerning," said Vasconcellos. "Unfortunately, by the time you have symptoms, usually the cancer is at a site in which it needs additional treatment. So, really, getting preventative screenings at an age that's recommended is the best thing for finding cancer early. Because, by the time you have symptoms, sometimes it can be more advanced."Colorectal cancer is highly treatable in its earliest stage."It's very treatable, especially if caught early," said Vasconcellos. "The earlier we treat it, the better your statistics and outcomes are. But that being said, even patients who are diagnosed later, we're coming up with better and better options in terms of chemotherapy, radiation. It used to be a very linear process, where if you have this, then these are the treatments. But now it's becoming very specialized, and it really takes a team of oncologists. Chemo, cancer doctors, surgeons like myself, radiation doctors, we all work together to treat the patient."There are some things that could increase a person's risk for colorectal cancer, including close family history (sibling, parent, or child having the cancer), obesity, and smoking. If you are a younger adult who feels like something is wrong with your body, Vasconcellos says to keep advocating for yourself, even if there are medical professionals who dismiss your concerns. "I think being persistent and advocating for yourself is important," said Vasconcellos. "It is kind of a common and unfortunate thing that people will say, 'Well, I went to a doctor, they said it was just hemorrhoids or just bleeding.' I really do think that the patients know their body and know themselves the best. So if you think something's off, asking your physician again, or even getting a second opinion, are definitely options."For more information about colorectal cancer, click here.

MILWAUKEE —

A Milwaukee surgeon says she's seeing an increase in younger patients needing treatment for colorectal cancer.

It's a concerning trend doctors are noticing nationwide, and colorectal cancer is now the third most common cancer among men and women in the United States.

According to research by the American Cancer Society in 2023, diagnoses of people under 55 years of age with advanced-stage colorectal cancer nearly doubled from 11 percent in 1995 to 20 percent in 2019.

"How young are we talking when we say that these are young adults?" asked WISN 12 News' Mallory Anderson.

"Thirties is really common, but I have seen a few patients in their twenties," said Dr. Kate Vasconcellos, an Aurora Health colorectal surgeon.

Right now, it's unclear what's causing the rise, but recent research is pointing to environmental factors, not genetics, as many patients being treated have no family history of colorectal cancer.

"It's been kind of heartbreaking to see patients younger than myself who have had symptoms for months, or even years," said Vasconcellos. "And because they're young, they didn't really try to get it evaluated or anything. Then, they end up ultimately needing surgery, more treatment. It's becoming more apparent, and it's pretty scary."

The biggest symptoms to watch out for are changes in your bowel movements, especially if blood is spotted consistently, along with abdominal pain.

"I think if you're having any symptoms, it's always a great idea to get checked out, because at least that gives you peace of mind if it is something that's normal or not concerning," said Vasconcellos. "Unfortunately, by the time you have symptoms, usually the cancer is at a site in which it needs additional treatment. So, really, getting preventative screenings at an age that's recommended is the best thing for finding cancer early. Because, by the time you have symptoms, sometimes it can be more advanced."

Colorectal cancer is highly treatable in its earliest stage.

"It's very treatable, especially if caught early," said Vasconcellos. "The earlier we treat it, the better your statistics and outcomes are. But that being said, even patients who are diagnosed later, we're coming up with better and better options in terms of chemotherapy, radiation. It used to be a very linear process, where if you have this, then these are the treatments. But now it's becoming very specialized, and it really takes a team of oncologists. Chemo, cancer doctors, surgeons like myself, radiation doctors, we all work together to treat the patient."

There are some things that could increase a person's risk for colorectal cancer, including close family history (sibling, parent, or child having the cancer), obesity, and smoking.

If you are a younger adult who feels like something is wrong with your body, Vasconcellos says to keep advocating for yourself, even if there are medical professionals who dismiss your concerns.

"I think being persistent and advocating for yourself is important," said Vasconcellos. "It is kind of a common and unfortunate thing that people will say, 'Well, I went to a doctor, they said it was just hemorrhoids or just bleeding.' I really do think that the patients know their body and know themselves the best. So if you think something's off, asking your physician again, or even getting a second opinion, are definitely options."

For more information about colorectal cancer, click here.