Colon cancer is becoming more and more common amongst young people, with experts predicting that figures will double in under-40s by 2030.
Scientists in the US are expecting colorectal cancer as a whole to surge in case numbers, and they say that bad diets or fungus could be a few of the main causes.
The experts have warned people that they shouldn't ignore the signs, and have named some of the early red flag symptoms that a person could have the condition.
Here are some of the key symptoms to be aware of, as reported by the Mirror.
What are the symptoms?
Experts warn that the main symptom of colon cancer is blood in the stool.
Around 68 per cent, of people with an average age of 42 said in a study by Colorectal Cancer Alliance in 2020 that they showed this symptom at some point.
On average, it took the survey participants 10 months to be diagnosed when they only had one symptom, and half of the people were misdiagnosed too.
Other symptoms include persistent changes in bowel habits, such as ongoing constipation or diarrhoea, or a persistent feeling of needing to have a bowel movement even after going to the bathroom, which should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Abdominal pain that doesn't go away on its own is another red flag, especially if it's severe or happens frequently.
That's according to the Cleveland Clinic, and it's vital you seek medical attention if you experience any kind of unusual stomach pain.
It's not clear what exactly is causing the rise in cases.
But research presented by the American Society of Clinical Oncology showed that the fungus Cladosporium sp can be seen more commonly in young people with colon tumours.
Experts think this might be responsible for damaging DNA, turning them into cancerous cells, but it is not yet known if this is the case.
The trend is not exclusive to the US, and the UK now has an early-onset colorectal cancer rate 9.3. This rate is also at 13.5 in Australia and 10.5 in Norway.
The co-director of gastrointestinal medical oncology at the University of Colorado Medicine, Dr Christopher Lieu, said: "We don't know why this trend is being seen in numerous countries that have different diets and exposures and environmental factors."
Speaking at a cancer conference in Chicago on Saturday, he said: "This is a humongous issue."
Lieu, using data from JAMA Surgery, estimated that there will be a 90 per cent increase in colon cancer for people aged 20 to 34 by 2034. This figure is at a significant 124 per cent for people aged 20 to 34 experiencing rectal cancer.
Cancer research is often conflicting and some expert study shows people suffering from early-onset cancer were less likely to lead unhealthy lifestyles.
In April, scientists found women born via a c-section may be more likely to develop early-onset colorectal cancer.
Further cited risks in separate studies include antibiotics and environmental factors. It should be noted that these are separate studies with a number of complicated factors that may impact the findings.
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