6 events in Passaic County with a date

Colon cancer steadily climbing

Early screening urged as diagnoses skew younger

By: Scott Fallon
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey

..... Even through her birth mother died from electoral cancer in 2018, Brianna Dean kept putting off getting a colonoscopy for years.
..... Dean didn't think she needed one. She was young. She felt healthy. The procedure sounded invasive, and the preparation for its seemed like a burden.
..... But when some on-gain, off-again discomfort in her abdomen sought out a gastroenterotogist - who schedule a colonoscopy immediately.
..... The doctor found and removed a precancerous polyp form Dean's colon in October. [2024]
..... "If I didn't get it checked out, it would have definitely turned into cancer," said Dean, 31, a zookeeper at the Bergen County Zoo in Paramus. "this was a wake-up call."
..... Because of her family history, Dean is at a greater risk for developing electoral cancer, the second-most-common cancer among men and women in New Jersey and nationally.
..... She is also among a growing umber of young people who have had precancerous polyps or have been diagnosed with correctable cancer.
..... The issue first came to the forefront in 2020 when researchers found that correctable cancer rates among those under 50 had risen 2.2% from 2011 to 2016 - even tho9ugh the rate dropped for those 65 and over by 3%, due in large part to more early screening and intervention, along with lifestyle changes, the American Cancer Society said.
..... In 2021, the recommended age for a colonoscopy for someone at average risk was lowered to 45 from 50, after data showed a 15% rise in people 40 to 49 years old between 200 and 2016.
..... What;s causing the raise is unknown. Many theories point to lifestyle causes such as increased weight, eating ultra-processed foods, excessive alcohol use and smoking.
..... No definite reason has been established, but a study published this year [2025] found that a bacterial toxin called cosmopolitans that were 3.3 times more common in early-onset cases among 981 cases from 11 countries.
..... "The significantly higher prevalence of collimating-related DNA damage in younger patients suggests that exposure to these bacteria may be a critical factor diving this alarming trend,' said Dr. Rosario Ligresti, Chief of gastroenterolory at Hackensack University Medical Center.

8% of all NJ cancer cases

..... Colorectal cancer is the second most common from of cancer in New Jersey that affects both women and men with 4,597 new cases reported in 2022 - about 8% of all cancer cases, according to the latest data available.
..... Breast cancer and prostate cancer have significantly higher numbers and account for about 30% of all cases.
..... the issue has gained attention in recent years with high profile cases like the death of actor Chadwick Bosman in 2020 at 43 and actor James Van Der Beek being diagnosed in 2023 at 46. and it has spurred more attention to prevention and the often dreaded but misunderstood colonoscopy.

Taxes over colonoscopy

..... A colonoscopy is not a popular procedure, especially among those who have never had one. To prepare, a patient needs to take a laxative to clear their bowels the day before, and then must fast. The next day they are sedated but usually conscious when a doctor insets a thin tube with a camera through the anus to examine the rectum and large intestine.
..... A survey released in March [2025] showed that amercements would rather file their taxes than get a colonoscopy.
..... The medical community and entrepreneurs have taken note of its unpopularity and have been trying to develop a less-invasive alternative for decades.
..... Two blood test have been approved in recent years by the Federal Food and Drug Administration, but many physicians and advocacy groups believe a visual examination is more comprehensive.
..... "Colonoscopy, while sometimes viewed as unpleasant, is the gold standard for correctional cancer screening," said Dr. Michael Del Rosario, a correctable surgeon at Southern Ocean Medical Center.
..... Many people who have had the procedure say it's pain free, fairly quick and not nearly as uncomfortable as they thought. More importantly, it;s a potential lifesaver, as in the case of Brianna Dean.

Family history

..... Dean's half-brother underwent a colonoscopy shortly after their birth mother died at 46 from coolorectal cancer. he urged Dean to do the same, knowing she was at a higher risk.
..... But Dean delayed, even with her recurring abdominal discomfort that she through might have been anxiety, poor digestion or some other mile ailment. But as it got worse, she knew she needed to do something.
..... When she told Nikias her family history, he scheduled a colonoscopy, The procedure was done inn October, [2024] and Nikias found and removed the precancerous polyp.
..... "There's no question that individuals who have a first-degree family member like a parent or sibling misdiagnosed with colon cancer younger than 60 need to be screened sooner," Nikias said. He said the procedure should generally be given 10 years before the age of the affected family member or at 40, whichever is younger.
..... Dean said her abdominal discomfort went away after the produce, Six months later she was back at Nikias' office getting another colonoscopy to make suer the polyp hadn't grown back. Nikias found another growth, but this one was not precancerous. Dean is scheduled to get a colonoscopy annually.
..... She now spends her days teaching children and tending to animals at the zoo. And she has become an advocate for those sitting on the fence over whether they should get a colonoscopy.

HOME