Pisa, 12 February 2026 – Il colorectal cancer strikes more and more young. “Cases of colon cancer under the age of 50 are increasing. It is a trend found in the past years in the USA and for about 5 years also in Europe. Today one diagnosis in eight of colon cancer concerns under 50. And it is estimated that in 2030, colon cancer will be the largest in the world leading cause of death from cancer in the 30-50 age group. The cause? We don’t know them. Surely in some young people these are genetic forms, there is familiarity. But in 80% of cases the cause is not genetic.”
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So atAdnkronos Salute Chiara Cremolinifull professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Pisa and member of the national board of Aiom (Italian Association of Medical Oncology), takes stock of colon cancer, illness which left the American actor no chance James Van Der Beekwho died yesterday at the age of 48. The actor, unforgettable protagonist of the series Dawson’s Creekhe had been ill for some time. In 2024 he announced his diagnosis of colon cancer. Among the hypotheses on the increase of this tumor in young people “there are i ultra-processed foodswhich are associated with a greater development of colon polyps, the gateway to colon cancer if they are not intercepted in time – warns Cremolini – Then exposure to antibiotics in childhood, smoke e alcohol. And we know very well that among young people there is no reduction in tobacco and alcohol consumption, on the contrary. There is still a lot of work to be done in this age group in terms of secondary prevention, i.e. promoting lifestyles: no alcohol, no smoking, no ultra-processed foods, no sedentary lifestyle; yes to the Mediterranean diet and regular physical activity”.
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Van Der Beek’s disappearance reignites attention on an illness still perceived, especially among younger people, as unlikely. “I knew he wasn’t well, I was a fan of his as a child – recalls the oncologist – and I had seen him at a reunion of the entire cast of the TV series so loved by my generation, Dawson’s Creek. I understood that the situation was serious, despite the treatment”.
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The aggressiveness of the disease
Cremolini underlines the importance of “catching the symptoms early: stomach ache, alternation between diarrhea and constipation, prolonged and intense tiredness, weight loss, blood in the stool. These are the same symptoms for everyone, but young people tend to underestimate them because they don’t think that at 38 they can develop colon cancer. The result? They arrive at the diagnosis later.”
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In younger patients, however, the disease appears to have more aggressive characteristics. “It is particularly aggressive – specifies Cremolini – and, despite treatment, the results of the treatments are less brilliant and young people die earlier. We don’t know the reasons, but there may be a link with molecular and biological factors: a lot depends on how the tumor is made”.
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The American actor, to cover the costs of treatment, had auctioned off some objects related to his career in 2024. “I also knew this”, continues the expert: “I oncology drugs they are very expensive. In addition to chemotherapy there are anti-vomiting drugs, the staff who administer the therapy, the structure and so on. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of euros. In Italy, if ours weren’t there National Health Service – observes Cremolini – only the rich could access these therapies, while the vast majority of people could not be treated. With us the patient doesn’t pay”. A reminder, concludes the specialist, of the importance of “prevention, attention to symptoms and the value of the NHS in guaranteeing access to care”.
date:2026-02-12 19:04:00
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