Colorectal cancer rates are rising among younger adults, with significant increases in diagnoses and a call for enhanced screening and research efforts, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasingly becoming a significant health concern for younger adults, with individuals aged 65 and under now accounting for 45% of new diagnoses, a notable rise from 27% in 1995. This alarming trend is highlighted in a recent report titled “Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2026,” published by the American Cancer Society in the journal CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
As the leading cause of cancer death among adults under 50, CRC is showing a troubling increase in incidence among younger populations. While rates among seniors have been declining, the opposite is true for those aged 20 to 49, where diagnoses are rising at a rate of 3% per year. The report indicates that 75% of colorectal cancers diagnosed in adults 50 and under are identified at an advanced stage, with half of these cases occurring between the ages of 45 and 49. Despite being eligible for routine screenings, only 37% of individuals in this age group participate.
The report also notes a concerning rise in rectal cancer, which now represents approximately one-third (32%) of all colorectal cancer cases, up from 27% in the mid-2000s. Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report, emphasized the urgency of addressing this trend. “After decades of progress, the risk of dying from colorectal cancer is climbing in younger generations of men and women, confirming a real uptick in disease because of something we’re doing or some other exposure,” she stated in a press release.
Siegel called for intensified research efforts to determine the causes of this increase and to improve early detection through better education for both clinicians and the public regarding symptoms. She stressed the importance of increasing screening rates among individuals aged 45 to 54.
The report projects that in 2023, there will be approximately 158,850 new cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed, resulting in an estimated 55,230 deaths. Researchers have identified that more than half of CRC cases can be linked to high-risk behaviors, including poor nutrition, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of physical activity, and obesity.
Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society, reiterated the critical need for eligible adults to begin screening at the recommended age of 45. “These findings further underscore that colorectal cancer is worsening among younger generations and highlight the immediate need for eligible adults to begin screening at the recommended age of 45,” he said. He also pointed out the importance of continued funding for research aimed at discovering new therapies and improving patient care.
When detected at an early stage, colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of 95%, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.
As the landscape of colorectal cancer continues to evolve, the findings of this report serve as a crucial reminder of the need for awareness, education, and proactive health measures to combat this rising threat among younger adults, according to the American Cancer Society.