In the News
Dr. Fola May provides expert insight on rising colorectal cancer deaths in adults under 50
While overall cancer death rates in people younger than 50 have fallen by 44% since 1990, colorectal cancer stands out as a troubling exception. In this age group, colorectal cancer deaths have increased by about 1% each year since 2005. Among the five leading causes of cancer‑related death in adults under 50, it is the only cancer showing an upward trend. This sharp contrast underscores a growing public health concern, said Dr. Folasade P. May, associate professor of medicine in the UCLA Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases and member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. “It’s a good‑news, bad‑news story,” Dr. May noted. “And for a colorectal cancer doctor, it’s a horror story.”
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A look at the latest progress in colorectal cancer prevention and research
Colorectal cancer has been rising in young adults for more than two decades and is now the leading cause of cancer death among people under 50. The trend is particularly concerning because overall cancer deaths continue to decline, highlighting the need for better prevention, earlier detection and more effective treatments. Researchers at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center are addressing this challenge on multiple fronts, from boosting screening and expanding access to care to developing new therapies for advanced disease. Read more in UCLA Health News & Insights
What to know about colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer starts as a polyp, a growth, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Polyps are common, especially as we age, and most are noncancerous. Some polyps, however, can turn into cancer over time, forming cancer cells in the wall of the colon or rectum, where they can grow into blood vessels that can spread to other parts of the body. The American Cancer Society estimates 158,850 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2026 in the U.S., with 55,230 deaths. Dr. Folasade May dicusses prevention, diagnosis and when to get screened for colorectal cancer. Read more about colorectal cancer in UCLA Health News
Lifetime alcohol use linked to higher risk of colorectal cancer, new study finds
A new study in Cancer found that heavy lifetime alcohol use is associated with a significantly higher risk of colorectal cancer. Individuals who consistently exceeded recommended drinking limits throughout adulthood had a 91% higher risk compared with lifelong light drinkers or those with breaks in heavy drinking. The study also suggests that people who quit drinking may lower their risk of developing precancerous tissue. “These numbers are not guarantees, but signals to do something before it’s too late,” said Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, GI specialist and associate director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity. “Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers we can actually prevent or catch early, but fewer than 70% of eligible people get screened.” Read more: ABC News | iHeartRadio
Too many toots? What excessive farting says about your health
Everyone passes gas — even during yoga class or in the middle of the night — but how much is too much? Folasade P. May, MD, PhD, MPhil, gastroenterologist at UCLA Health, joins other experts in a recent HuffPost article to discuss what’s considered normal and when excessive gas may signal something worth checking out. Read the full HuffPost article