For decades, colon cancer was largely seen as a disease of older adults. Doctors usually began screening after the age of 50. That assumption is slowly changing. Hospitals across the world are reporting more cases in people in their 30s and 40s. The trend has raised serious concern among gastroenterologists because many of these cases are linked to everyday habits.According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer rates in adults under 50 have steadily increased in several countries. Their research highlights the growing burden among younger populations and the need for early awareness.Doctors say the reason is not always genetics. In many cases, lifestyle choices quietly reshape the gut environment for years before symptoms appear.As Dr Gyanranjan Rout, Consultant in Medical Gastroenterology at Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar, explains, “Colon cancer is no longer a disease of older age alone. We are seeing more cases in people under 50 because their lifestyle choices are responsible for most of their changes. Physical activity and bowel habits function as essential elements that directly affect colon health yet most people overlook their significance.”Understanding how daily habits affect the colon may be one of the most powerful steps toward prevention.Read More
