UAB Shares What Millennials and Generation Z Need to Know About Colon Cancer

By Brianna Hoge | UAB News Individuals in their 20s and 30s should be aware of the warning signs of colon cancer to know when to seek medical attention. When most people think about colon cancer, they associate the disease with older populations. However, the American Cancer Society reports that one in every five colon cancer diagnoses in 2019 was in someone younger than 55 years old. This is an increase of 9 percent since 1995. With an estimated 53,000 deaths from colon cancer in 2024, one University of Alabama at Birmingham physician explains what people in their 20s and 30s need to know about risk factors and warning signs of the disease. Risk factors Drew Gunnells, M.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Surgery, emphasizes that the biggest concern of colorectal cancer is a strong family history. He recommends seeking out family members and discussing their medical history as this may change the window of screening time. “Genetics plays a significant role in colorectal cancer, and if you have an immediate family member with colorectal cancer, then you will need to relay this information to your medical providers to start screening earlier,” Gunnells said. While one may not...