OBJECTIVES This evaluation is being conducted to inform pharmacists about the potential role they can play in the prevention and treatment of young-onset CRC. This study examines the therapy and outcomes data of patients with young-onset CRC in an inpatient setting and analyzes the compare the treatment strategies for patients<50 years of age to those <50 years of age.

METHODS Data from Sentara hospitals systems were utilized. The sample included patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in Virginia from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2016. Baseline characteristics were compared using chi-squares and t-tests. Stratified analyses using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test was used to examine the associations between the receipts of cancer therapy by age group while controlling for any differences in stage of diagnosis. The Breslow-Day Test was used to test the homogeneity of the odds ratios. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS There were 4,505 CRC cases diagnosed at eight Sentara Hospitals in Virginia from 2008 to 2016. Among them, 11.59% (n = 522) were aged 18-49 years old at diagnosis with a mean age of 42.74 (SD= 5.87) years. The results of the bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant difference between patients <50 years of age and those ≥50 of age by race, primary payer, alcohol and tobacco history, Charlson comorbidity index, stage of diagnosis, tumor site, tumor size, and treatment therapy for radiation and chemotherapy. The young-onset CRC group had higher prevalence of late-stage diagnosis (68.58% vs. 52.47%, p < 0.0001), and tumor size bigger than 3 cm (60.54% vs. 51.42, p = 0.0018).

CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed that people younger than age 50 diagnosed with CRC are at a higher risk for late-stage diagnosis. The study also indicated that the relationship between age and treatment patterns differed by race.