Cancer that goes unnoticed for a long time: 5 symptoms in young people

A study by doctors from Mass General Brigham Children's Hospital shows that colorectal cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, often at advanced stages. Nearly half of these patients die. The article lists five symptoms that are often overlooked: back pain, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, weight loss, and bleeding.

Doctors from Mass General Brigham Children's Hospital in the United States presented a study at the 2026 national conference of the American Academy of Pediatrics, showing that colorectal cancer is increasingly being diagnosed in adolescents and young adults, often at advanced stages. The researchers examined the medical records of 84 patients aged 21 or younger who were diagnosed between 2012 and 2023. The average age of the patients was 16. Sixty-five patients had colon cancer, and 19 had rectal cancer. Nearly half of the patients died. The researchers note that teenagers often miss warning signs. The article lists five symptoms that are easy to overlook: back pain, abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, weight loss, and bleeding. The author of the article is Vlad Tsoufer.