First on CNN: Routine blood testing may hold hidden clues to colorectal cancer before age 45

Routine blood panels can flag early‑onset colorectal cancer in adults younger than 45, according to recent reports. Researchers found that unusually low levels of liver enzymes AST and ALT correlate with a higher likelihood of the disease. The finding suggests that a standard blood draw, already ordered for many patients, may contain hidden clues before symptoms appear. These clues emerge during routine health checks that patients already undergo. Epic Research described a statistical link between low AST/ALT and early colorectal cancer in adults under 45, while Medical Daily reported that low liver enzyme readings were associated with the condition despite unchanged screening guidance. Premium Times Nigeria highlighted how laboratory tests could aid early detection, emphasizing that the enzyme pattern may act as a risk indicator. The consistency across these analyses strengthens the case for blood work as a supplementary signal.

Coverage on CNN introduced the story first, and regional outlets such as KCRA, CTV News, and Yahoo Health quickly reproduced the angle. Scripps News and ksby.com also ran pieces noting that routine panels might reveal a person’s likelihood of developing the disease. International attention appeared in a Ukrainian news service, which translated the findings into local language. The breadth of reporting underscores a growing interest in repurposing existing tests for cancer risk assessment. The reports caution that current screening recommendations remain unchanged; no official body has yet incorporated enzyme levels into colorectal cancer guidelines. Medical Daily explicitly noted that guidance has not shifted despite the association. This gap means clinicians must interpret low AST/ALT results within the broader clinical picture rather than as a standalone trigger for colonoscopy.

Patients should discuss any abnormal liver enzyme patterns with their physicians, but the evidence alone does not mandate a change in standard screening protocols. Future monitoring will focus on whether research groups publish longitudinal data that could prompt guideline revisions. Health agencies may evaluate the cost‑effectiveness of adding enzyme panels to risk‑stratification models. Watch for statements from the American Cancer Society or national gastroenterology societies, which could signal a policy shift. Until such updates appear, the current consensus treats low liver enzymes as a potential signal rather than a definitive screening tool.