Brandon Gardner was a busy guy. The 38-year-old York man worked as a machine operator, putting in overtime when he could, spending whatever free time he had with his fiancée, Ilena Dickson, and their daughter.

He didn’t have time to be sick. He never went to the doctor and, if he didn’t feel right, he would just wait it out and hope whatever the problem was would just go away.

Then there it was: a nagging pain in his lower back and a discomfort that he thought was hemorrhoids that just wouldn’t go away. After over-the-counter treatments failed, he finally talked to Ilena, who urged him to see a doctor.

“They did a colonoscopy and found 12 polyps and a mass,” Brandon says. “I had colon cancer.”

The trend

Brandon’s cancer diagnosis reflects a troubling trend in colorectal cancer. Nearly double the number of young adults under 55 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer today compared to a decade ago, and more are dying from the disease each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

In fact, a study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that millennials born around 1990 now have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer of people who were born around the 1950s.

“The month that Brandon was diagnosed, I saw four patients under the age of 40 who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer,” says WellSpan surgeon Dr. Benjamin Vabi. “He is not alone in his experience. We are seeing this more and more.

“This increase means that people need to listen to their bodies and pay close attention to any unusual symptoms, and get them checked by a doctor right away.”

Dr. Benjamin Vabi

Some genetic conditions, including Lynch syndrome, can increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer at a younger age but scientists think only about 10% to 20% of these cases are due to inherited disorders.

Experts don’t know exactly what’s fueling the rise in colorectal cancer among young adults.

What is known is that lifestyle factors including obesity, physical inactivity, even moderate alcohol consumption and smoking, as well as environmental factors such as pollution or exposure to certain toxic chemicals, all have been associated with colorectal cancer. Research is being conducted to better understand this trend.

The challenge

The recommended age for a colonoscopy for people at average risk of colorectal cancer was lowered to 45 years old in 2021, but this would not have helped those under 40 like Brandon.

What can younger patients do to protect themselves?

A study has identified four possible early warning signs. The study showed that in the period of 3 months to 2 years before people with colorectal cancer were diagnosed, these signs were commonly reported:

• Abdominal pain
• Rectal bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Iron deficiency anemia, a condition where your body doesn't have enough iron to produce healthy red blood cells, causing fatigue, shortness of breath and other symptoms

Dr. Vabi says patients of ALL ages should be vigilant about seeking care if they see these warning signs.

Brandon’s hope

Brandon has both radiation and chemotherapy to treat his colorectal cancer. He now will be scanned regularly, with colonoscopies and MRIs, to ensure his cancer is not progressing.

He has made some lifestyle changes he hopes will help him stay well, particularly with regard to his eating habits, which included lots of snack foods including his favorites: beef jerky and jalapeno potato chips.

“My diet, before, honestly I ate whatever I wanted,” he says. “I ate a lot of junk food, a lot of salty things and processed foods.”

Many studies have found a link between red meats (beef, pork, and lamb) or processed meats (such as hot dogs, sausage, and lunch meats) and an increased colorectal cancer risk. The American Cancer Society notes that diets that are high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains, and low in red and processed meats, probably lower colorectal cancer risk, along with regular exercise and an avoidance of smoking and drinking alcohol.

Brandon urges others to pay attention to their health and their bodies, to avoid his path.

Brandon Gardner and his fiancee, Ilena Dickson

“It didn’t really hit me right away what I was facing,” he says. “It took a little while until I was like, ‘Oh wow. Even young people can die from cancer.’ I didn’t know my cancer was a newer problem for people like me.”

If you notice something is not right with your body, he says, “Go get it checked out. I was embarrassed. It took me a while to even say something to my fiancée. Don’t be embarrassed. That might save your life.”

Ilena adds, “Listen to your body. If you don’t, who will?”

lf you need to connect with a digestive specialist, go here. To learn more about your colon cancer screening choices, go here.