Younger colon cancer deaths are increasing significantly [Video]

SALT LAKE CITY — There’s been a significant increase in the number of people under the age of 55 dying from colon cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths in men under the age of 50. Additionally, it is the number two cancer killer for women under 50.

Dr. Nathan Merriman, the medical director of gastroenterology and digestive health at Intermountain Health, said the worst part is that colon cancer is very preventable and treatable if caught early with a colonoscopy. 

Early screening, early detection

Between 1995 and 2019, the number of people under the age of 55 who died from colon cancer doubled, according to the American Cancer Society.

Merriman said there are symptoms to pay attention to.

“Blood in the bowel movements, abdominal pain, new, different changes in bowel movements that are concerning. Those are reasons to get a colonoscopy early,” said Merriman. 

He recommends that everyone should get a colon cancer screening by age 45. If …