Colorectal Cancer Diagnosed Before Age 50 May Increase Risk of Dying from Heart Disease

New research is shedding light on a concerning link between early-onset colorectal cancer and an increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. Published in Medical News Today, the study suggests that individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 may face a heightened risk of heart-related mortality compared to those diagnosed later in life.

Dr. Anton Bilchik, Chief of Medicine and Director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Saint John’s Cancer Institute, weighed in on these findings and emphasized the importance of deeper research into the connection between cancer and cardiovascular health.

According to the study, which analyzed over 12,000 cases from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database, those diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 were nearly 90% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to people diagnosed at older ages. Researchers pointed out that while cancer treatment outcomes have improved, there is growing concern over long-term complications, especially for younger survivors.

Dr. Bilchik highlighted an important limitation of the study: it did not account for other health factors that may have influenced the results. “It is difficult to draw firm conclusions about the association between younger onset colorectal cancer and cardiovascular disease from this study because we do not know how many of these patients had other risk factors,” Dr. Bilchik explained in the article.

Nonetheless, the study raises awareness about the broader health challenges facing early-onset colorectal cancer survivors. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and this research underlines the need for holistic survivorship care that includes cardiovascular monitoring—especially in younger patients who may not be considered high-risk for heart problems.

Dr. Bilchik also stressed the need for further prospective research to examine the causes behind the increased cardiovascular risk. These could include treatment-related factors, inflammation, lifestyle choices, or underlying genetic predispositions. “This study emphasizes the need to understand these risk factors and develop strategies to reduce them,” he said.

Colorectal cancer diagnoses are rising in younger populations, prompting changes in screening guidelines and a broader public health push for early detection. Dr. Bilchik and others in the medical community continue to advocate for awareness, prevention, and comprehensive post-cancer care.

Ultimately, this study serves as a call to action—not only to prevent colorectal cancer through earlier screening but also to monitor long-term health risks that may arise after treatment. With more attention and research, patients and physicians alike can be better equipped to manage both the direct and indirect effects of cancer.