Back to Search
Start Over
Red-flag signs and symptoms for earlier diagnosis of early-onset colorectal cancer.
- Source :
-
JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute . Aug2023, Vol. 115 Issue 8, p909-916. 8p. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Background Prompt detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) among individuals younger than age 50 years (early-onset CRC) is a clinical priority because of its alarming rise. Methods We conducted a matched case-control study of 5075 incident early-onset CRC among US commercial insurance beneficiaries (113 million adults aged 18-64 years) with 2 or more years of continuous enrollment (2006-2015) to identify red-flag signs and symptoms between 3 months to 2 years before the index date among 17 prespecified signs and symptoms. We assessed diagnostic intervals according to the presence of these signs and symptoms before and within 3 months of diagnosis. Results Between 3 months and 2 years before the index date, 4 red-flag signs and symptoms (abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and iron deficiency anemia) were associated with an increased risk of early-onset CRC, with odds ratios (ORs) ranging from 1.34 to 5.13. Having 1, 2, or at least 3 of these signs and symptoms were associated with a 1.94-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.76 to 2.14), 3.59-fold (95% CI = 2.89 to 4.44), and 6.52-fold (95% CI = 3.78 to 11.23) risk (P trend < .001), respectively, with stronger associations for younger ages (P interaction < .001) and rectal cancer (P heterogenity = .012). The number of different signs and symptoms was predictive of early-onset CRC beginning 18 months before diagnosis. Approximately 19.3% of patients had their first sign or symptom occur between 3 months and 2 years before diagnosis (median diagnostic interval = 8.7 months), and approximately 49.3% had the first sign or symptom within 3 months of diagnosis (median diagnostic interval = 0.53 month). Conclusions Early recognition of red-flag signs and symptoms (abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and iron-deficiency anemia) may improve early detection and timely diagnosis of early-onset CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *SYMPTOMS
*COLORECTAL cancer
*IRON deficiency anemia
*EARLY diagnosis
*RECTAL cancer
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00278874
- Volume :
- 115
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 169950152
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/djad068