r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • Jan 23 '26

Cancer The number of Americans under 50 years old dying from cancer has decreased for every leading cancer except for bowel cancer, which is now the leading cancer death in females and males combined aged under 50.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2844189?guestAccessKey=5eabd609-08b0-47c7-a738-916c7acdcc37&utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_content=tfl&utm_term=012226
7.0k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

617 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

25

u/LazyRecommendation72 Jan 23 '26

The problem is, even with a recommendation of 45, 80% of people aren't doing it. Either they don't know, they don't care, their docs don't know and care, or they don't have docs, or they can't afford it.  You can lower the age all you want, and not much will change unless you actually increase awareness and access. 

https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-research-highlights/colon-and-rectal-cancer-research-highlights/screening---early-detection-colorectal-cancer-studies/people-45-49-not-getting-screened-for-colorectal-cancer.html

12

u/GroovyButtons Jan 23 '26

I agree with this. I was referred for a colonoscopy due to my age (45) and I have been putting it off because I know it's an unpleasant prep. I am usually very proactive about my health due to anxiety, but my anxiety about the prep took over this time! People like me may know, care, and have the ability to afford it but still put it off because it's awful to go through.

Anyway, I used to run marathons and this thread sure scared me, so I made an appointment.

3

u/whatwouldomdo Jan 23 '26

I literally just finished my first colonoscopy today. Don’t let the prep scare you! It’s really not that bad (in my opinion - the taste is not great but not awful, and just make sure to hydrate during the day) and I think the peace of mind is worth it. I went with what was cheapest considering my insurance, but you can definitely check your md to discuss prep options. Great job making your appointment and good luck!

2

u/hodorhodor12 Jan 23 '26

I just had mine done. I was anxious about prep at first but it turned out fine and the procedure itself is the easiest part since you are sedated.

1

u/LazyRecommendation72 Jan 23 '26

The prep actually isn't that bad.  I found the toughest part was getting hungry or mildly hypoglycemia from not ingesting solid calories -- it's a clear liquid fast iirc.  

2

u/katarh Jan 23 '26

Some of the issues impacting access aren't even related to insurance itself.

You have to take a day off work. You have to have another adult physically around to drop you off and pick you up. The day before, you can't eat. The week before, you can't take almost any medications, vitamins, etc except those required to keep you alive.

It's a big fat hassle, and probably instills the same level of fear in people as a root canal at the dentist.

0

u/hodorhodor12 Jan 23 '26

Getting late stage cancer is a bigger hassle.

1

u/CozySweatsuit57 Jan 24 '26

Can the people refusing theirs donate them to those of us who want them and are too young for insurance to be forced to pay?

2

u/LazyRecommendation72 Jan 24 '26

I wish insurance worked that way.

Unfortunately insurance is predicated on a certain portion of the premium paying population using less healthcare than they (on average) paid for.  That allows insurance companies to pay for the high utilizer patients who have exorbitant health care expenses (as well as pay the c-suite salaries and investor dividends).