Colorectal cancer is on the rise among people under 50:

Colorectal cancer—the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States—is on the rise among people under 50, but when caught early it is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. It also is possible to reduce your risk for colorectal cancer though nutrition and lifestyle changes.

“Not only are younger people developing colorectal cancer in record numbers, they are seeking help late,” says Elie Abemayor, MD, director, Gastroenterology Division at Northern Westchester Hospital. “Screenings make this one of the most preventable forms of cancer, but many people avoid them because they believe colon cancer affects only older people.”

While 90 percent of colorectal cancer is still found in those over 50, the incidence of people in their 30s and 40s developing the disease has increased by about two percent a year since 2000. In 2018, the CDC lowered the recommended age for starting colonoscopies from 50 to 45.

“Unfortunately, 85 percent of people under 50 who are diagnosed with colon cancer see a physician only after developing symptoms, when the disease is at a more advanced stage,” says Dr. Abemayor. “While the data doesn’t yet have direct causes for the shift toward colon cancer in younger people, trends strongly point to diet and lifestyle in the American way of life. Studies have shown that people who eat fatty foods, red meat and live a sedentary lifestyle have a higher incidence of colon cancer compared to non-obese, physically active people who avoid these types of food, and maintain a Mediterranean diet or one that is high in fiber, fresh fruits and vegetables.”

Amy Rosenfeld, MS, RD, CDN, program coordinator of community health, education and outreach and Registered Dietitian at the Center for Healthy Living, says people can lower their risk of colorectal cancer by adding five powerful, essential foods to their diet.

Vegetables:

“Vegetables contain cancer-preventing nutrients called carotenoids and flavonoids,” says Rosenfeld. She advises filling half your plate with colorful vegetables at every meal. “Vegetables are high in fiber, bulking your stool and limiting the amount of time waste spends in your colon, reducing your risk for colorectal cancers.

Grocery list: rich colorful variety of fruits and vegetables that you and your family love – a rainbow of options, including frozen vegetables, which are affordable and ready-to-eat.

Whole grains

Choose whole grain options for high fiber content. When picking bread and cereal products, look for the word “whole” on labels, choosing items that list whole grain ingredients first. “Try replacing white grains--like white rice--with whole grains or mixing the two together. Eating three servings, or about three ounces of whole grains a day, will not only increase fiber, but also B vitamins and important minerals, such as iron, zinc, copper and magnesium.

Grocery list: whole wheat bread, barley, oats, quinoa, buckwheat, corn, brown rice, wild rice.

Legumes

Legumes are mega-packages of fiber that help keep your digestive tract healthy. “By regularly eating beans and lentils, you lower your risk for cancerous colon polyps (small growths),” says Rosenfeld. “Try substituting beans or lentils for meat twice a week or reducing meat in your recipes and add in legumes.”

Grocery list: navy beans, chickpeas, fava beans, kidney beans, lentils, lima beans, black beans, cannellini beans.

Nuts and Seeds

“Nuts and seeds are the perfect foods,” says Rosenfeld. “Their fiber, healthy fat, phytochemicals, and antioxidants all have cancer-fighting properties. Try snacking on nuts or seeds instead of chips or pretzels. Natural nut and seed butters make a great dip for your favorite fruit. Mix in ground flax seeds or chia seeds into oatmeal”

Grocery list: walnuts, cashews, almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, ground flax seed.

Fiber-rich fruit

“Eat the rainbow when it comes to fruits,” Rosenfeld recommends. “Try to eat one to two cups of fruit each day and mix up the colors. Each color fruit has a unique combination of nutrients with cancer-fighting properties. Fruit also has fiber, vitamins and minerals, and its natural sweetness helps you resist refined sugary treats without nutritional benefits.”

Grocery list: a rainbow of fruits that your family loves, seasonal fruit for top sweetness, or frozen fruit for affordable, ready-to-eat options.

For more information on colon health and colorectal cancer, join Dr. Abemayor, Amy Rosenfeld and others from Northern Westchester Hospital who will present: Colorectal Conversation: Getting Candid about Colon Health. March 25 from 5-6pm., Join a panel of experts and learn the latest colorectal cancer screening and prevention recommendations, facts about diagnosis and advanced treatment options, and the role of nutrition in prevention. Presented by NWH's Center for Healthy Living and Cancer Treatment & Wellness Center. Featured Panelists: Alexis Grucela, MD, Elie Abemayor, MD, and, Paul Strombom, MD. Free and held over Zoom. Pre-registration required. To learn more about Northern Westchester Hospital, visit nwh.northwell.edu.

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About Northern Westchester Hospital

Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), a member of Northwell Health, provides quality, patient-centered care that is close to home through a unique combination of medical expertise, leading-edge technology, and a commitment to humanity. Over 650 highly-skilled physicians, state-of-the-art technology and professional staff of caregivers are all in place to ensure that you and your family receive treatment in a caring, respectful and nurturing environment. NWH has established extensive internal quality measurements that surpass the standards defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA) National Hospital Quality Measures. Our high-quality standards help to ensure that the treatment you receive at NWH is among the best in the nation. For more information, please visit www.nwhc.net and connect with us on Facebook.

About Northwell Health

Northwell Health is New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, with 23 hospitals, 830 outpatient facilities and more than 16,600 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 75,000 employees – 18,900 nurses and 4,800 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners – are working to change health care for the better. We’re making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We're training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.