Ep
86
86
Why Are More Young People Getting Colorectal Cancer? A GI Oncologist From Stanford Explains Episode 86 with Dr. Shruti Patel
Jun 15, 2026
With
Dr. Shruti Patel
35:27
Why Are More Young People Getting Colorectal Cancer? A GI Oncologist From Stanford Explains Episode 86 with Dr. Shruti Patel
In this episode of All Talk Oncology, host Kenny Perkins speaks with Dr. Shruti Patel, a GI medical oncologist from Stanford University, about the rising rates of early-onset colorectal and GI cancers and what they mean for patients today.
Dr. Patel explains why more younger patients are being diagnosed, explores possible contributing factors like lifestyle and environmental changes, and emphasizes that there is no single cause of cancer. She also breaks down how clinical trials work, why patient advocacy matters, and how resources like clinicaltrials.gov can help guide treatment decisions.
The conversation also dives into survivorship care and why life after cancer should be viewed as “life with a cancer history,” highlighting the ongoing physical, emotional, and financial challenges patients may face.
In this episode, Dr. Patel discusses:
- The rising rates of early-onset colorectal and GI cancers
- Why younger patients are increasingly being diagnosed
- Possible contributing factors (diet, lifestyle, environmental influences)
- Why no single “smoking gun” explains cancer development
- How clinical trials work (Phase I, II, and III differences)
- Why patients should use clinicaltrials.gov and advocate for themselves
- The importance of second opinions in cancer care
- Why survivorship should be viewed as “life with a cancer history”
- Physical, emotional, and financial challenges after treatment
- The problem of patient guilt and blaming lifestyle choices
Dr. Patel’s insights offer a clear, compassionate, and empowering look into modern cancer care helping patients, caregivers, and clinicians better understand both the science and the human experience behind a diagnosis.
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