CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The American Cancer Society says colorectal cancer is the leading cancer death for men and second for women.
More than 100,000 adults have been diagnosed with colon cancer this year alone.
The American Cancer Society advised adults in 2018 to start their colon screening at the age of 45, which researchers say can be the cause of the upticks in cases.
Yet, some of the major concerns are seeing cases rise within the younger population.
Roper Saint Francis Hospital Doctor Jorge Lagares-Garcia said he has seen an increase in colon cancer for young patients, as young as 19. He said getting checked when you notice symptoms is important, no matter what age.
He also said that doctors want to catch this cancer as early as possible, because the more time the cancer grows, the more the survival rate drops.
Nonetheless, there are ways that you can try to prevent colon cancer.
"If you follow most of the American Cancer Society guidelines about limitation of red meat, fiber supplementation, healthy exercise and smoking. All these recommendations and guidelines that have been spoken of for years," Dr. Lagares-Garcia explained.
The risk of colon cancer increases after the age of 50; people are also at risk if they have colon cancer in their family history, according to the Cancer Research Institute.