Over the last twenty years, the medical community has identified an alarming trend. While cancer rates as a whole are decreasing, the risk for colorectal cancer is on the rise among younger adults. Newly diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer in individuals under the age of 55 have nearly doubled, prompting the National Cancer Institute to recently identify colorectal cancer as the No. 1 cause of death in people ages 20-49. While this trend is already cause for concern, follow-up studies are revealing even more worrisome information — those who are diagnosed at a younger age tend to be experiencing more aggressive forms of colorectal cancer.
While there are many active theories as to why these changes are occurring, most point towards the factors we already know to be risky including consuming high-calorie foods with low nutritional value; excess intake of red meats, alcohol and highly processed foods; tobacco use; having a body mass index over 30; and an overall lack of fiber, produce, and exercise. Additional environmental factors that may be of concern are pollutants, microplastics, and pesticides. While it seems unlikely that there is one single factor to blame, which can make prevention feel like an overwhelming task, there are some important steps that we can take to reduce our risk.
Get Preventative Screenings (GPS)
The St. Christopher Fund’s Driven to be Healthy program offers an assortment of free health and wellness programs to OTR Class A CDL drivers to help navigate the process of developing healthier habits while on the road as well as providing them with preventative cancer screenings. Get Preventative Screenings (GPS) is designed to support those whose profession of long-haul driving makes it difficult to get screenings and has recently expanded to include colorectal cancer screenings. With the introduction of second-generation testing, these tests can be performed in the comfort of your own home or while over-the-road and provide results in minutes.
Colorectal cancer screenings offered by the St. Christopher Fund are FDA approved to assist in the diagnosis of colon and rectal cancer, diverticulitis, colitis, Crohn’s Disease, and Irritable Bowel Disease/Irritable Bowel Syndrome through a simple fecal sample with easy-to-read results within 5 minutes. Current recommendations for colorectal cancer screening, which are based on the more traditional colonoscopy screening, suggest screening at age 45. However, with colorectal cancer on the rise for younger adults, the SCF suggests screening early and often – annual testing is recommended. For those with a first-degree family history (parent or sibling) of colorectal cancer, these annual screenings should begin 10 years prior to the age of the relative when the relative was first diagnosed.
While there are some unknown variables behind the recent increases in colorectal cancer, there is good news for the future of the disease. Long-term outcomes are improving, and more convenient proactive screenings give individuals the ability to catch cases earlier when recovery rates are at their highest.
Join the St. Christopher Fund today in their mission to improve driver health. You can learn more about GPS and the many other health and wellness programs offered by SCF on our website at https://truckersfund.org/healthwellness/ or by reaching out to Health & Wellness Manager, Lindsey Bryan at health@truckersfund.org.