Covering Your Health: Colon cancer rates rising in those under 50

Louisiana ranks fifth in the US for colon cancer deaths, and a troubling trend is emerging among those under 50. New research is shedding light on possible causes. While colon cancer rates are declining for those over 65, they are rising for younger adults. For those 50-64, things initially dropped and then leveled off around 2005. Unfortunately, those under 50 have seen an increase in incidence starting around 1995. A study suggests that a strain of E. coli bacteria, which produces a toxin causing DNA damage, might be a factor.