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, particularly 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.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths world-wide, accounting for nearly 1 million lives lost. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to learn more about risk factors, ways to reduce risks, and the importance of proactive colorectal cancer screenings. St. Christopher Fund’s Get Preventative Screenings (GPS) provides Class A CDL over-the-road semitruck drivers with free colorectal cancer screening kits to help drivers be proactive in their health and catch cancer early to improve outcomes.
While there are many 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 (BMI) 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. Get Preventative Screenings (GPS) is designed to support those whose profession of long-haul driving makes it difficult to get screenings. GPS currently includes prostate, colorectal, and cervical cancer screenings. With the introduction of second-generation colorectal cancer testing, these tests can be performed in the comfort of your own home or while over-the-road, and drivers have their results in minutes.
Colorectal cancer screenings offered by 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. Class A OTR drivers can request an annual FIT test starting at any age. 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.
Early signs of colorectal cancer can be subtle but should not be ignored. Symptoms can include changes in bowel habits such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation or a sensation that the bowel doesn’t empty entirely about a bowel movement. They also can be vague, such as a general feeling of abdominal discomfort from cramps, gas or bloating that doesn’t go away. Blood in stool is an important symptom to address, as well as feeling weak or tired outside of the usual or unexplained weight loss. Any of these symptoms should be discussed with a doctor as there are many possible causes.
Proactive cancer screenings before symptoms begin help support early detection. Early detection saves lives. You can learn more about GPS and the many other health and wellness programs offered by SCF on our website at truckersfund.org/healthwellness/ or register for your free cancer screening kits at truckersfund.org/gps/.