Medical Intel

Why are more people younger than 50 developing colorectal cancer? Dr. Brian Bello discusses the disturbing trend.   TRANSCRIPT Intro: MedStar Washington Hospital Center presents Medical Intel where our healthcare team shares health and wellness insights and gives you the inside story on advances in medicine. Host: Thank you for joining us today. We’re talking with Dr. Brian Bello, a colorectal surgeon at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Welcome, Dr. Bello. Dr Bello: Thank you. Host: Today we’re talking about why more younger patients are dying of colorectal cancer. Once considered an older person’s disease, patients in their 30s and even 20s are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, which is baffling the medical community. A 2017 study found that, after years of decreasing mortality rates, colorectal cancer deaths in adults age 20 to 55 increased 1 percent per year from 2004 to 2014. Dr. Bello, what do you think caused this seemingly sudden spike in colorectal cancer deaths? Dr Bello: That’s a tough ques