Early-Age-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Canada: Evidence, Issues and Calls to Action

Abstract

The inaugural Early-Age-Onset Colorectal Cancer Symposium was convened in June 2021 to discuss the implications of rapidly rising rates of early-age-onset colorectal cancer (EAO-CRC) in Canadians under the age of 50 and the impactful outcomes associated with this disease. While the incidence of CRC is declining in people over the age of 50 in Canada and other developed countries worldwide, it is significantly rising in younger people. Canadians born after 1980 are 2 to 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with CRC before the age of 50 than previous generations at the same age. While the etiology of EAO-CRC is largely unknown, its characteristics differ in many key ways from CRC diagnosed in older people and warrant a specific approach to risk factor identification, early detection and treatment. Participants of the symposium offered directions for research and clinical practice, and developed actionable recommendations to address the unique needs of these individuals diagnosed with EAO-CRC. Calls for action emerging from the symposium included: increased awareness of EAO-CRC among public and primary care practitioners; promotion of early detection programs in younger populations; and the continuation of research to identify unique risk factor profiles, tumour characteristics and treatment models that can inform tailored approaches to the management of EAO-CRC.

Patterns of Prescription Medication Use Before Diagnosis of Early Age-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Population-Based Descriptive Study

“…There is indeed potential to expand on pharmacists' roles when it comes to educating individuals regarding CRC, including younger adults about EAO-CRC. To date, calls to action have largely focused on increasing awareness among primary care physicians on the increasing risk of EAO-CRC [30,31]; however, it is also important to consider other health care providers, particularly pharmacists, given their accessibility and as prescriptions represent a frequent healthcare encounter prior to CRC diagnosis.…”

COVID-related disruptions to colorectal cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment could increase cancer Burden in Australia and Canada: A modelling study

“…Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant health burden in high-income settings, and one of the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia and Canada [ 1 , 2 ]. Mortality rates have decreased over the past two decades, believed to be led by improvements in treatment and early detection due to screening [ 3 ], However, increasing incidence rates among people at younger ages are a significant cause for concern [ 4 , 5 ], as it is currently unclear how these increases will propagate as these cohorts age. Early detections through routine screening of asymptomatic individuals along with timely cancer diagnoses and treatment are necessary to manage CRC burden.…”

Breaking Down Barriers to Detection and Care in Early-Age-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Canada

“…A symposium on early-age onset colorectal cancer (EAOCRC) patients organized in October 2022 addressed key issues affecting this rapidly growing population in Canada. The symposium built on the outputs of the inaugural EAOCRC conference, previously reported in this journal [1]. Readers are invited to refer to this publication for an overview of the evidence and issues in EAOCRC.…”