LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the U.S. and it is becoming more common among young adults.
Johnny Nelson had a history of colon cancer in his family. At age 50, Nelson was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.
At the time he says he felt fine but with colon cancer there are little to no symptoms until the cancer progresses.
Some doctors call it a silent killer.
Nelson is not the first person in his family to deal with colon cancer. His mother was diagnosed with the disease at age 40 and his brother and sister passed away from colon cancer.
They were both just 32 years old.
There's been an uptick in colon cancer among young and middle-aged adults.
There's no single reason why but genetic diseases, diet and weight can all play a role.
In Nelson's case he couldn't escape his family's history but the early screening might have saved his life.
