York County News

Brandon Gardner, a 38-year-old machine operator from York, faced a life-altering diagnosis when persistent discomfort led to the discovery of colon cancer. His story highlights a growing concern: an increasing number of young adults under 55 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society reports nearly double the cases compared to a decade ago.

Dr. Benjamin Vabi, a WellSpan surgeon, notes the alarming rise in younger patients like Brandon. "The month that Brandon was diagnosed, I saw four patients under the age of 40 who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer," he says. Dr. Vabi emphasizes the importance of recognizing unusual symptoms and seeking medical advice promptly.

While genetic factors like Lynch syndrome can increase risk, they account for only 10% to 20% of early-onset cases. Lifestyle and environmental factors such as obesity, inactivity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and pollution have been linked to colorectal cancer. Ongoing research aims to clarify these associations.

In response to this trend, the recommended age for colonoscopies was lowered to 45 in 2021. However, this change would not have benefited those under 40 like Brandon. Early warning signs identified by recent studies include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and iron deficiency anemia.

Brandon's treatment includes radiation and chemotherapy along with regular scans to monitor his condition. He has also adopted healthier eating habits in hopes of improving his prognosis.

Reflecting on his experience, Brandon urges others to heed their bodies' signals and seek medical evaluation without delay. "It didn’t really hit me right away what I was facing," he admits. "Even young people can die from cancer."

His fiancée Ilena Dickson echoes this sentiment: “Listen to your body. If you don’t, who will?”