Eric Garcia never thought he would undergo colorectal cancer screening at age 38. But when he started experiencing a series of stomachaches that wouldn’t go away, he ended up getting a colonoscopy.
“When I woke up from the procedure, the doctor said, ‘I am glad you came in,’” Garcia recalled. “’What we have is a big mass tumor.’”
Yasser Jamal, M.D., a gastroenterologist on the medical staff of Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth and a member of Texas Health Physicians Group, sent the tumor for further tests.
On a Friday the 13th, Garcia learned he had Stage 3B colon cancer.
The news stunned Garcia and his wife, Martha.
“You don’t see that diagnosis coming,” she said. “We went straight into trying to get treatment.”
Garcia is a self-described health-conscious person who works out, runs and watches what he eats. He doesn’t have a family history of colon cancer. He is also younger than the recommended age to start screening for colon cancer.
At first, Garcia downplayed his abdominal pain. But it persisted, and he began experiencing more discomfort. At his wife’s urging, Garcia sought a doctor’s opinion.
“If it had it not been for Martha insisting that I go to a doctor, I would not have gone,” he said. “I would have kept thinking that my stomachaches would go away. I would have been in big trouble.”
Dr. Jamal explained that colon cancer historically is a health concern for patients 50 years and older. But in recent years, the disease has emerged as a concern among patients in their 40s and even 30s.
“We started seeing an alarming rise in colorectal cancer in younger adults, which is in fact a national and global trend, these are the patients for whom colonoscopy is not in their immediate plans,” Jamal said. “Some, like Eric, are in their 30s, and they are busy with raising their young children and families.”
Jamal said younger patients might not realize that their symptoms could be due to underlying colon cancer because they associate the disease with older people.
“Patients, especially in the 30s, may think it's nothing or that it will get better, so they keep overlooking the symptoms for months,” Jamal said. “If you are in your 30s or 40s and experiencing bad abdominal pain that doesn't go away, rectal bleeding and continued discomfort, go see your doctor. Find out if you need a colonoscopy to further evaluate your symptoms.”
According to a 2024 report from the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in men under 50 and the second leading cause in women under 50. Since 2011, incidence rates of colorectal cancer have increased by 2 percent annually in people under 50, according to the American Cancer Society.
“This health trend among younger patients is concerning,” Jamal said, adding that some studies indicate high consumption of sugar, diets high in ultra-processed foods, sedentary lifestyles and gut microbiome imbalances may play a role and could be contributing factors.
Garcia armed himself with information and steeled himself against too many negative thoughts. He said he followed the notion that things can always be worse.
The tumor was successfully removed, and Garcia began chemotherapy. Now, months later, he is enjoying simple moments with his family.
“I’m good right now,” he said. “I am letting people know that colonoscopies aren't that bad. The peace of mind you get for yourself, and your family is huge.”
Martha Garcia, who is 35, was moved by worries about her husband’s cancer to get a colonoscopy, too.
She said she shares her husband’s experience with friends and co-workers with the hopes of inspiring others to get screened. She also stresses to them: “It is critical that if you have any symptoms, you can’t explain or won’t go away that you get them checked.”
Jamal said he’s pleased Garcia has won his current battle with cancer.
“These are young patients who want to watch their children get older and graduate from high school and college,” Jamal said. “Diagnosing these cancers early, so it can be defeated, is very rewarding.”
Do you need a colorectal cancer screening?
- The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults ages 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer, according to the S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- The American Cancer Society urges people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. Risk factors include being overweight, having Type 2 diabetes, smoking and heavy alcohol use and having a high body max index (BMI).
- If you are experiencing unexplained weight loss or changes in appetite or in bowel habits, such as sudden diarrhea or constipation, seek a doctor’s opinion.
- Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and those with Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), should be aware of the risks for colon cancer. Both are prone to have colon cancer at a younger age. FAP is an inherited disorder characterized by cancer of the large intestine. Lynch syndrome is the most common cause of hereditary colorectal (colon) cancer. People with Lynch syndrome are more likely to get certain cancers, usually before age 50 and should begin screening earlier, sometimes as early as their 20s.
- Patients who are diagnosed with inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease should be screened every one to two years.
Texas Health offers a network of digestive health specialists to help assess and treat colon and rectal cancers. Find a gastroenterologist near you at TexasHealth.org or take our colorectal cancer assessment to learn more about when you should be tested for colorectal cancer.