Study identifies potential warning signs of colorectal cancer in younger adults

New cases of colorectal cancer in people under the age of 50 have been rising at an alarming rate over the past several decades. But younger adults aren’t routinely screened for colorectal cancer because the disease is still relatively rare in younger adults. 

Now, a study has identified four warning signs that, according to the investigators, could help encourage younger adults to seek medical care so they can potentially catch the disease at an earlier and more treatable stage. 

To conduct the study, the research team analyzed insurance claims data on more than 5,000 people diagnosed before age 50, called early-onset colorectal cancer, and more than 22,000 people without cancer (controls).