Do Teens Ever Need To Be Tested For Colon Cancer?
It's not common for teens and adolescents to develop colon cancer. As such, people at this age do not need to be routinely screened for colon cancer. However, in rare cases, teens have been diagnosed with colon cancer — so it is a small possibility to be aware of. Here are some instances in which you may want to have your teenage or adolescent child tested for colon cancer.
1. There's a family history of early-onset colon cancer.
If the people in your family who have had colon cancer have all been older, there is no reason for your teen to be overly concerned until they are also older. However, if you have a family history of early-onset colon cancer, it's a good idea to talk to your teen's doctor about early testing. The doctor may or may not ultimately decide to test your son or daughter, but it's wise to bring the family history to their attention so they can decide whether testing is wise.
2. Your teen has had unexplained digestive symptoms.
If your teen has been having symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, or blood in the stool, there are many more likely diagnoses than colon cancer. IBS, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and various food allergies are possibilities. But what if your teen has been tested and assessed for all of these conditions, and they have yet to receive a diagnosis? Then, you may want to request colon cancer screening to be on the safe side.
3. Your teen has a lot of dietary and lifestyle risk factors.
Eating a diet rich in red meat, fast food, and processed foods tends to increase the risk of colon cancer. People with type II diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, and metabolic disorders are also at a higher risk for colon cancer. Many teens have all of these risk factors and do not develop colon cancer. However, teens with these risk factors are more likely to develop colon cancer, which means getting them tested is an option to explore. Along with testing, the doctor may recommend your teen make some changes to their life to mitigate their risk, going forward.
Colon cancer is a serious disease, and the earlier it is identified, the easier it is to treat. If your teen falls into any of the categories above, it's worth bringing colon cancer testing up to their physician. Testing can be wise in some cases.
