Mayo Clinic Minute: Why millennials should know colon cancer symptoms - Mayo Clinic News Network

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• More younger adults are being diagnosed with colon cancer  — also known as colorectal cancer — and at more advanced stages of the disease, says the American Cancer Society.

• Colon cancer symptoms usually don't appear in early stages of the disease and when they do, they are often at an advanced stage.

• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society recommend patients of average risk start screening for colorectal cancer at age 45.

• "Colon cancer is an incredibly common cancer, routinely one of the top five causes of cancer annually. And really anyone is at risk, at any age," says Dr. Chan.

• "We are seeing younger patients present with colon cancer. And unfortunately, they also tend to present at a more advanced stage," says Dr. Chan.

• Ongoing stomach discomfort and unexplained weight loss can be colon cancer symptoms

• "In fact, a lot of the warning symptoms such as rectal bleeding, anemia, change in bowel habits, these are very common symptoms that happen across all ranges of age groups," Dr. Chan says.

• Alaska Native, American Indian and African Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than people of other races, says the American Cancer Society.

• Dr. Chan says certain specific factors such as family history may require a more individualized approach for colorectal cancer screening. She encourages patients to talk to their health care team to make sure they are individualizing recommendations for them.