Dana-farber Cancer Institute

As of 2019, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the United States — but survival after diagnosis has been gradually increasing in the past decade due to advances in treatment. However, since 1994, cases of young-onset colorectal cancer have increased by 51 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. In March 2019, Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center announced the launch of the Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center, which focuses exclusively on the care of colorectal cancer patients under age 50, in an effort to address the alarming increase in rates among young adults. In this episode of Cancer Mythbusters, we interview Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt, clinical director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center at Dana-Farber. He answers common questions about treatment and research, family history, and ways you can reduce your risk, whether you’re a young adult or older.