Colon Cancer Rising In Young Adults, Research Examines Gut Bacteria
Originally published in
Forbes.com
on
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Heather Candrilli, 36, a mother of two, is battling metastatic colon cancer—underscoring the urgent need for education, research, and advocacy for young adults facing rising rates of the disease.
Screening at age 45 is an improvement from the previous recommendation of 50. Yet the lowered age still overlooks people like Candrilli—and thousands of others—diagnosed with advanced colon cancer before age 45. New York State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton has introduced a bill that would lower the colorectal cancer screening age to 35. While the change would apply only to New York residents, Scarcella-Spanton says legislation passed in her state “could put pressure on other states” to follow suit. If passed, her bill would require insurance companies to cover costs of colorectal cancer screening starting at 35.
