Toufic Kachaamy, Chief of Medicine and Director of Gastroenterology at City of Hope, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“This shouldn’t be happening but it sadly is.
Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in people under 50 in the U.S. Let that sink in.
We unfortunately see this way too often a young person, an age when cancer is often dismissed, symptoms are minimized, and diagnosis comes far too late.
What’s most alarming:
• Cases and deaths are rising among younger adults
• Most are diagnosed at advanced stages
• Screening rates remain lower than acceptable even after guidelines lowered the age to 45
The truth: Early detection saves lives. Awareness saves lives. Taking symptoms seriously saves lives.
Call to action:
• If you’re 45+, get screened.
• If you’re younger and something feels off, advocate for yourself.
• If you lead teams, companies, or communities, normalize these conversations and promote preventive care.
Cancer doesn’t wait for “the right age.” Neither should we.”
More posts featuring Toufic Kachaamy.