Keeping an Eye on Your Digestive System Key to Preventing Colon Cancer

Early detection is critical in treating any type of cancer, but most recently colon cancer has begun to top that list. 

Once thought to be a disease affecting people mostly over 50, colon cancer is on the rise, including a surge in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s, said Dr. Shishin Yamada, a board-certified general surgeon specializing in minimally invasive, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgeries on staff at Silver Cross Hospital  in New Lenox. Dr. Yamada recently published a video podcast for about colorectal cancer on Silver Cross Hospital’s podcasting platform, IMatter Health. 

According to the American College of Surgeons, colon cancer has moved up to the #1 cause of cancer death in men, and #2 in women (after breast cancer in women under age 50), where just 30 years ago, colon cancer was the #4 cause. 

Dr. Yamada said the American Cancer Society reported in 2023 that 20 percent of colon cancer diagnosis (in 2019 data) were in patients under the age of 55, double the rate reported in 1995. 

“It is predicted that around 20,000 diagnoses and nearly 4,000 deaths from advanced colon cancer would be in people younger than 50,” he said. “As a result, the U.S. Preventive Task Force changed recommendations in 2021 to begin screening most Americans at age 45, five years earlier than previously recommended, and continue screening until at least age 75.” 

Dr. Yamada said no one is exactly sure why younger people are getting colon cancer. But factors could include an increase in obesity and alcohol use, and a decrease in exercise and healthy eating. 

“One thing is clear, it is NOT just genetics, and there are many more cases out-of-the-blue sporadically in those under 50,” Dr. Yamada said. 

Signs and Symptoms

Colon cancer in its early stages often doesn’t show any symptoms, or mild ones. Dr. Yamada said people should pay attention to their toilet habits, including changes in color and narrowing of the stools, and blood in or around the stools in the toilet. 

“When people see blood after a bowel movement, they often think, ‘Oh, it’s just a hemorrhoid,” he said. “But if it keeps happening after a couple weeks, they need to get checked out.” 

Persistent diarrhea or constipation – fewer than three bowel movements a week – also can be warning signs and should be reported to their doctors. 

“Obstruction and pain are late symptoms, so many early colon cancers may not show many or any symptoms,” Dr. Yamada said. “Your most reliable symptom checker is yourself, and you need to communicate these symptoms with your doctor.” 

The ‘Gold Standard’

Your doctor then likely will prescribe a colonoscopy to see what’s going on in your system. The procedure is safe and simple, he said, and patients are sedated. 

The only negative patients report about colonoscopies, Dr. Yamada said, is the “prep” the night before. Patients drink a special laxative which helps make sure their colons are clean enough to get a good picture during the procedure.

 “Patients who have had it say it’s a lot better now,” Dr. Yamada said. “We don’t have you drink a gallon anymore. It’s more like a liter, a bottle of pop.” 

A flexible tube roughly the size of a small finger with a camera is inserted up through the colon. Doctors then can see if there any abnormal growths that need to be removed and possibly biopsied. They also can see any pockets where food waste may get stuck and cause infections. 

“In medical terms, we talk about a colonoscopy being the ‘gold standard’ test; it works great and has withstood the test of time,” Dr. Yamada said. 

“If a colon cancer is diagnosed, I feel fortunate to work at Silver Cross Hospital. We have the best surgical tools, best surgeons and best cancer doctors dedicated to colon cancer treatments. 

“Silver Cross was named #1 in the State of Illinois for Surgical Care in February 2024 by Healthgrades. We have the finest equipment, including two new surgical robots, each costing $2 million, to add to our existing stable of four surgical robots, he added. “The Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross performs the highest number of robotic surgeries in Illinois by volume, and I am privileged to be on our team, providing colon cancer care using the best equipment, such as our robots for advanced colon cancer care.” 

Depending on the stage of colon cancer, in general for early diagnosis, Dr. Yamada said they tend to offer surgery first, if they can safely remove all colon cancer in one chunk or block. 

If the cancer is advanced, or invades nearby important organs, they try to shrink the tumor with chemotherapy first, and then offer surgery when safe to remove all cancer in one block. 

Dr. Yamada stresses that people of all ages watch their diets, exercise, stay away from drinking excessively or smoking. And if you feel or see changes in your bowel movements, get them checked asap. 

"It might just save your young life!" 

For more information, visit silvercross.org