Student Presenter(s): Kriti Badola
Faculty Mentor: Paul Cohen
Department: Family Medicine
School/College: College of Osteopathic Medicine, Long Island

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and cause of cancer death worldwide in both genders. Despite the prevalence of screening tests such as fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and colonoscopies allowing for early detection, deaths among people younger than age 55 have increased 2% per year from 2007-2016. While the overall frequency of CRC has been declining, early onset CRC continues to rise representing a population of patients with unmet clinical needs. By the year 2030, the incidence of colon cancer is expected to double and rectal cancer incidence is expected to quadruple from 11% and 18% respectively. Although some cases may have a hereditary basis, the majority appear to arise sporadically. Needless to say, this presents a serious threat to our healthcare system; this prompted the American Cancer Society (ACS) to change its recommendation from age 50 to age 45 for people at average risk in 2018. Currently routine colonoscopy is not recommended for individuals younger than age 45, resulting in advanced stages of colorectal cancer especially when diagnosed before age 20. In this report, we describe 1 case diagnosed with colorectal adenocarcinoma at age 29. With this brief case review we would like to emphasize the alarming rise in the incidence of early onset colorectal cancer, and the importance of raising awareness and creating newer guidelines in response to the changing demographic of patients impacted by CRC.