LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In the most recent data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 1.5 million new cases of cancer were reported in 2020. 

Kentuckians are among the most likely to be newly diagnosed with cancer in the U.S., with new cancer rates 13% higher than the national average. 

Oncologist Dr. Douglas Nelson says Kentucky is following the same trend as the rest of the country — an increase of colon cancer cases in younger people. 

Kentucky has the highest rate of new cancer cases, according to the CDC. In 2019, nearly 29,000 new cancer cases were reported — a number that has continued to increase since the early 2000s. 

 “In the 40 to 50 group, we’ve seen, you know, a very obvious increase and, and even, you know, as you get below that into the 30s, we’re still seeing more patients than we used to,” Nelson said. 

He says one theory why there is an increase in cases is high consumption of foods high in fat or processed foods.

“That all of that may have some effect on the gut. The term that’s used is the microbiome. The natural gut bacteria that seem to play a role and that then that may cause, you know, higher levels of chronic inflammation in the gut that can predispose to the development of colon and rectal cancer,” Nelson explained.

Nelson encourages people to follow screening guidelines. The American Cancer Society suggests people who are at an average risk and are 45 years old or older should get regular screenings. 

“Most colon cancers start out as polyps. And over time, usually the course of a number of years, those polyps can become more and more abnormal and eventually they can turn into cancer.”

Screenings for colon cancer can include a colonoscopy or stool-based test. 

The National Cancer Institute reports Floyd, Powell and Lincoln counties have the highest incident rates for cancer in the state.