A new report reveals that a third of colon cancer cases now occur in the rectum. Take these steps to protect yourself at any age.

"the rate of rectal cancers diagnosed in people under 50 doubled in the 24-year period from 1998 to 2022. That's an indication that whatever is driving the rise of young colon cancer is having more of an impact specifically on the tissues in people's rectums, suggesting an environmental trigger, rather than a lack of physical activity, could be to blame for this."

""It's some either environmental or behavioral exposure that was introduced in the last half of the 20th century," cancer epidemiologist Rebecca Siegel, first author of the new report, told Business Insider. "Whatever this change in exposure was, it's having a much larger influence on cancer development in the rectum. It's a really important clue for researchers.""

Rectal cancer, a specific type of colon cancer, is increasing significantly among people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, now accounting for one-third of all colon cancer diagnoses. The rate of rectal cancers in people under 50 doubled between 1998 and 2022, indicating that something in the modern environment is affecting colon health and making cancer more common in younger generations. Scientists suspect an environmental or behavioral exposure introduced in the late 20th century is responsible, rather than factors like physical inactivity. This shift suggests the trigger specifically impacts rectal tissues. Early detection through at-home stool tests, colonoscopies, and awareness of symptoms like blood in stool can help identify cases.

Read at Business Insider