What we can learn from Chadwick Boseman's cancer battle

The tragic death of Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer at age 43 has stunned the world. Boseman, a prominent actor who was most known for his role as the ‘Black Panther’, had been secretly battling cancer for four years. His death from colon cancer at such a young age puts a spotlight on the fact that colon cancer has been increasingly affecting younger adults over the past decade.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer diagnosed in men and women in the U.S., excluding skin cancers. But although the number of people being diagnosed with the disease has dropped overall, statistics indicate that the rate of diagnosis in younger people has increased. In 2004, cases of newly diagnosed colorectal cancer in people under age 50 were 10%. By 2015, that rate rose to 12.2%, and over 50% of these younger patients were diagnosed at later stages of the disease.

"One of the main problems with diagnosing colorectal cancer is that symptoms tend to be very nonspecific," Saint Agnes Colon Rectal Surgeon Dr. James Bruce says. "It can be something obvious like rectal bleeding or a major change in bowel habits, but it can also be mild abdominal pain or cramping that won't go away."

Regardless of what symptoms appear, Dr. Bruce warns that by the time symptoms become noticeable, more than likely the cancer has already progressed to more advanced stages of malignancy. So it's imperative to seek medical attention the moment you notice anything unusual concerning your bowels or abdominal comfort.

Boseman’s death also points out another sobering reality. Colorectal cancer rates also differ by ethnicity, with rates being 20% higher in African Americans than non-Hispanic whites. The rate of death is also 40% higher in this group.

"At this time, there are still many unknowns regarding what causes colorectal cancers to form," Dr. Bruce says. "One thing to be very aware of though is family history. It's been found that almost one-third of colorectal cancers diagnosed in patients 35 or younger are hereditary in nature."

The American Cancer Society recommends that adults at average risk for colorectal cancer begin screening at age 45. People at higher risk may need to start screenings earlier or have them done more often.

"The gold standard of screening, in my opinion, is still the colonoscopy," Dr. Bruce says. "There are some tests that have become more popular in recent years, but they aren't as accurate, and they haven't been around long enough for us to know whether they are as effective at catching colorectal cancer in its earliest stages as the colonoscopy."

While Boseman’s cancer would not have been caught early enough even with stringent testing according to recommended guidelines, screening is an important part of beating colorectal cancer since survival rates are far higher when the cancer is caught in its early stages. If found early, this type of cancer has over a 90% 5-year survival rate. Once it spreads to other organs, that rate drops to about 14%.

Lowering Colon Cancer Risk

While no cancer is preventable, many risk factors are under your control. Here are 8 tips to help lower your colorectal cancer risk:

1. Achieve or maintain a healthy weight.
2. Follow a diet high in fiber that includes lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains and not much red and processed meats.
3. Exercise regularly.
4. Don’t smoke.
5. Limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women.
6. Follow recommended colorectal screening guidelines.
7. Learn your family medical history.
8. See a doctor if you notice any warning signs, including changes in bowel patterns, straining or discomfort with bowel movements, rectal bleeding or feeling full or bloated (keep in mind that colorectal cancer may cause no warning signs so regular screenings are still the most proactive thing you can do to help find cancer early when it’s most treatable).