Question 1

how rare is colon cancer in a 25 year old?

Accepted Answer

Quite Rare: It is relatively rare. This raises the question of a genetic predisposition to this cancer (e.g. Lynch syndrome). The 25yo with the colon cancer should be seen by a genetics counseling team as well for possible genetic testing.

Question 2

how rare is colon cancer in 20s? and why is it rare in young people if it is rare?

Accepted Answer

Pretty rare: Colon cancer is more prominent in the older population. The older someone gets, the more likely they are to have changes in their dna called mutations. These changes can lead to cancer. It is very rare for someone in their 20s to have enough of these mutations to cause cancer. It's possible to have inherited mutations, and these people develop colon cancer at an earlier age.

Question 3

how rare is colon cancer for a white male under 40 (36) and no family history?

Accepted Answer

5%: From 2005-2009, the median age at diagnosis for cancer of the colon and rectum was 69 years of age
. Approximately 0.1% were diagnosed under age 20; 1.1% between 20 and 34; 4.0% between 35 and 44; 13.4% between 45 and 54. You should see a genetician to see if there is familial cancer syndrome like hnpcc.

Question 4

how rare is colon cancer in a 28 year old female? my family has no history of the disease. i've recently been diagnosed with ibs.

Accepted Answer

Colon cancer: Colon cancer is rare is young people but can be see in association with diseases such as familial polyposis.  Patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease involving the colon with longstanding colitis are at greater risk of developing colon or rectal cancer than the general population.  Patients who develop IBD at a younger age may be at an increased risk when they are older.

Question 5

how rare is colon cancer in a 28 year old male it runs in the family  i have had constipation it goes away and comes back there is no blood in stool.

Accepted Answer

Depends: Colon cancer is rare at your age. It is prudent to get screening colonoscopy at an age ten years younger than the lowest age at which any family member was diagnosed with colon cancer.

Question 6

how rare is colon cancer on a slightly overweight male, who is 36 years old and has no history of colon cancer but feels abdominal pain?

Accepted Answer

Very low: There are many factors that are associated with colorectal cancer, including family history, history of ulcerative colitis, older age, african american race, being female, and others.  If you want to calculate your risk score, go to:  http://digestive.Ccf.Org and take the colorectal cancer risk assessment questionnaire.

Question 7

how rare would it be that a person in his 20's would have colon cancer?

Accepted Answer

Extremely rare: This is quite uncommon, and usually only seen in people with an extensive family history of the disease, polyposis coli (a disease with thousands of polyps) or ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory disease of the colon known to [over many years] to cause cancer).  You should be tested for genetic markers for colon cancer and other cancers to determine best treatment for you, and screening for family.

Question 8

full explanation please of why colon cancer is so rare in their 20s? but i read online of hundreds of stories people are telling about colon cancer in their 20s

Accepted Answer

Social phenomenon: As with most "news" what is talked about is the unique/unusual and tragic/dramatic stories.   It doesn't surprise me that cancer in the young is blogged more than that of the usual/elderly.
A generalization for most cancers can be made is that the older you are, the more vulnerable one is to a malignant transformation.  Colon, breast are the most notorious.  Familial risk increases with time.

Question 9

why is certain cancers so rare in young people liike colon cancer or luung cancer?

Accepted Answer

Need exposure/time.: Cancers like colon and lung cancer need time and exposure to promoting substances to develop.  Lung cancer develops over years of exposure to smoking, even if a small amount of smoking puts one at risk for it.  Colon cancer comes from years of a diet high in animal fat, etc..  Exceptions are those with polyposis symdromes, etc. That make it almost certain that colon cancer ossurs at a younger age.

Question 10

curious: what are the chances of colon cancer in someone age 34, non smoker, rare drinker, no fam hx, healthy weight (bmi around 21 or 22)?

Accepted Answer

Low risk before 50: Colon Cancer and Age

90% of new cases and 95% of deaths from colon cancer occur in people 50 or older. However, colon cancer does not discriminate and can happen to men and women at any age.
While rates for colon cancer in adults 50 and older have been declining, incidence rates in adults younger than 50 years has been increasing.
Just launched! New pages with tons of information about young-onset colon cancer, who’s at highest risk and resources for you. Check them out!
Colon Cancer and Ethnicity and Race

Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) may have a higher rate of colon cancer.
Partly because of disproportionate screening, African-American men and women have a higher risk of developing colon cancer and a lower survival rate (about 20% higher incidence rate and 45% higher mortality rate) compared to Caucasians, Asians, Hispanics and Native Americans.
The risk of death is also increased for Native Americans and Alaskan Natives.
Colon Cancer and Family History

People with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or children) who has colon cancer are between two and three times the risk of developing the cancer than those without a family history.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

How rare is colon cancer

A member asked:

How rare is colon cancer in a 25 year old?

A member asked:

How rare is colon cancer in 20s? and why is it rare in young people if it is rare?

A member asked:

How rare is colon cancer for a white male under 40 (36) and no family history?

A member asked:

How rare is colon cancer in a 28 year old female? my family has no history of the disease. i've recently been diagnosed with ibs.

A member asked:

How rare is colon cancer in a 28 year old male it runs in the family i have had constipation it goes away and comes back there is no blood in stool.

A member asked:

How rare is colon cancer on a slightly overweight male, who is 36 years old and has no history of colon cancer but feels abdominal pain?

A member asked:

How rare would it be that a person in his 20's would have colon cancer?

A member asked:

Full explanation please of why colon cancer is so rare in their 20s? but i read online of hundreds of stories people are telling about colon cancer in their 20s

A member asked:

Why is certain cancers so rare in young people liike colon cancer or luung cancer?

A member asked:

Curious: what are the chances of colon cancer in someone age 34, non smoker, rare drinker, no fam hx, healthy weight (bmi around 21 or 22)?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?