Rectal bleeding major warning sign of colorectal cancer in young adults: Study

Daijiworld Media Network – Louisville

Louisville, Oct 4: A new study has found that rectal bleeding is the strongest predictor of colorectal cancer in adults under 50, increasing the risk by a staggering 850%.

The research, conducted at University of Louisville Health, examined the medical records of 443 patients under 50 who underwent colonoscopies between 2021 and 2023. Nearly half were diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer, with rectal bleeding emerging as the most alarming symptom.

“Many of the early-onset colorectal cancers that I see have no family history,” said Dr Sandra Kavalukas, colorectal surgeon at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. “This research shows that if a younger patient presents with rectal bleeding, a colonoscopy should be strongly considered