Colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults, and one group drawing more concern is pregnant and postpartum women. The challenge is that common warning signs can look a lot like ordinary pregnancy-related problems, which may lead to delayed diagnosis and worse outcomes.
Symptoms such as bowel changes, stomach discomfort, fatigue, or other gastrointestinal issues may be dismissed during pregnancy because they overlap with what many patients and clinicians already expect. That can make colorectal cancer in pregnancy harder to spot until the disease is more advanced.
The report highlights the experience of Sage Collins, now 35, who dealt with bowel problems during a friend's wedding in July 2022. After learning she was pregnant the following month, she linked her gastrointestinal symptoms to pregnancy, reflecting how easily possible cancer signs can be overlooked in younger pregnant patients.
The broader concern is tied to the rise of colorectal cancer among young people overall. As cases climb in adults who are not traditionally seen as high risk, doctors and patients may need to pay closer attention when gastrointestinal symptoms persist during pregnancy or after childbirth rather than assuming they are only part of the pregnancy or postpartum experience.
