Rising Rates of Colorectal Cancer in Young Adults Spark Concern

Real-life accounts from young adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer are bringing attention to a troubling trend: more people under 50 are being diagnosed with the disease.

While colonoscopies are the most reliable method for detecting colorectal cancer, other types of screenings are also sometimes used. Health professionals are urging younger individuals—especially those with symptoms or a family history of the disease—to get screened.

This push for early detection comes amid a steady rise in colon and rectal cancer cases among younger adults over the past decade. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025, there will be around 107,000 new cases of colon cancer and about 47,000 cases of rectal cancer in the U.S. Men are slightly more likely to be affected than women.

Despite a general decline of about 1% per year in colorectal cancer diagnoses between 2012 and 2021, largely due to improved screening and lifestyle changes, the rate among adults under 50 has increased by over 2% annually during that time. Moreover, the death rate for younger adults with colorectal cancer has gone up by roughly 1% per year over the last 20 years.

Though the exact reasons for this trend remain unclear, experts suspect that factors such as diet—particularly high consumption of red and processed meats—and lifestyle habits may be contributing.In addition to the data, personal stories from young patients are emphasizing the importance of awareness and early screening for colorectal cancer.