Bloody stools in 30s and 40s are a sign of colorectal cancer, not hemorrhoids... KBS Mysteries of the Human Body airs September 23

Episode 1009 of Mysteries of the Human Body>

Warning lights for colorectal cancer in 30s and 40s... 'Colorectal cancer in the young'

'Bloody stools' that arrived at age 34! Thought it was hemorrhoids... but colorectal cancer?! The increasing trend of colorectal cancer in 30s and 40s, what are the abnormal signals?

Broadcast: Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 10 PM on KBS 1TV

Colorectal cancer is known as a cancer of the middle-aged and elderly. However, recently, the number of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a young age in their 30s and 40s is increasing. Younger people undergo colonoscopies during health checkups relatively less often. Even when symptoms such as bloody stools, abdominal pain, or changes in bowel habits appear, they are easily mistaken for hemorrhoids or temporary digestive issues, causing them to miss the timing for examination.

A person in their 40s who discovered colorectal cancer without any particular symptoms, a patient in their 30s contemplating marriage and childbirth, and a woman diagnosed with colorectal cancer during pregnancy. We look into what signals colorectal cancer arriving at a young age sends to our bodies. On September 23, 2026, on KBS 1TV's Mysteries of the Human Body>, we follow the cases of colorectal cancer patients in their 30s and 40s, from the discovery of young-onset colorectal cancer to treatment and life thereafter.

A 3cm polyp discovered during the first colonoscopy

Yoo Moon-jeong (44), who is raising two children, had no particular symptoms in her daily life. Despite her parents' urging that multiple colon polyps were being found during every checkup, she postponed it, saying she would get one in her 50s. However, after repeated urging, a large polyp measuring about 3cm was discovered during her first colonoscopy.

The program analyzes the reason why such a large polyp was found in the colon of a 44-year-old with no symptoms, and the cases where colonoscopies should be considered even at a young age.

Colorectal cancer in the 30s, is pregnancy and childbirth possible?

Park Min-jeong (35), who works as a nursery teacher. For Min-jeong, who is in her fifth year of marriage, a diagnosis of Stage 3 lower rectal cancer was suddenly delivered. For Min-jeong, who did not have children yet, there was a concern as important as the cancer treatment itself. It was the worry of whether pregnancy and childbirth would be possible even after treatment ended. After establishing a treatment plan that considered not only the location and progression of the cancer but also future pregnancy possibilities, she began chemotherapy.

Yoon Seong-hee faced colorectal cancer in a completely different situation. In 2019, Seong-hee, who was 24 years old, thought the abdominal pain that arrived at the 27th week of pregnancy was simply due to the pregnancy. However, colorectal cancer was discovered during a colonoscopy performed due to persistent pain. To make matters worse, intestinal obstruction occurred, making it a situation where treatment could no longer be delayed.

When colorectal cancer arrives in young women, we examine how treatment, pregnancy, and childbirth should be considered together, looking at treatment methods and timing depending on the patient's situation.

Bloody stools thought to be hemorrhoids, colorectal cancer that arrived at age 34

It was at age 34 that special education teacher Heo Gwang-hoe felt something was wrong with his body, when a little blood began to stain the toilet paper. Because of his young age, he did not take it seriously and thought it was hemorrhoids, but as the amount of bloody stools noticeably increased, colorectal cancer was discovered during a colonoscopy performed belatedly. He underwent surgery and treatment, but the battle did not end there, and even now at age 39, Heo Gwang-hoe is still continuing treatment.

Bloody stools appearing in young people—when should one suspect colorectal cancer? The broadcast also examines what kind of treatments can be continued when the cancer progresses or metastasizes. One cannot be relieved simply because they are young. Since the range of treatment options widens the earlier colorectal cancer is discovered, it is important not to overlook symptoms just because one is young. On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 10 PM, Mysteries of the Human Body> on KBS 1TV will examine the various aspects and treatment processes of young-onset colorectal cancer.

(Photo provided = KBS 1TV 'Mysteries of the Human Body')

◆ At a glance

· Publishing Institution: KBS

· Category: Mysteries of the Human Body

· Distribution: September 22, 14:57

Source: KBS Press Release

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