Between 2005 and 2016, colorectal cancer became more common each year among people in their 30s in Europe, and these individuals were diagnosed at older ages than people in their 20s, suggesting that environmental or lifestyle factors affecting younger generations began influencing their health earlier in life.

Between 2004 and 2016, the number of new colorectal cancer cases in adults aged 40 to 49 in Europe rose by 1.6% each year after a period of decline, suggesting a pattern that matches trends seen in younger generations.

Colorectal cancer rates are rising faster in younger people in Europe than in older generations, suggesting that something in the environment or lifestyle during childhood or early life may be responsible for this trend.

From 1999 to 2018, the number of new cases of colorectal cancer each year rose by 4.44% in men and 6.40% in women between the ages of 20 and 29 in Germany, with the fastest growth occurring in this younger group, even though colorectal cancer remains uncommon in people this age.

From 1990 to 2021, the number of colorectal cancer cases in people aged 40 to 44 rose by 59%, and the rate adjusted for population age increased by 37%, showing that this age group experienced the fastest growth in cases among young adults.

Between 2004 and 2016, the number of colorectal cancer cases in young adults aged 20–29 in Europe rose by nearly 8% each year, from less than 1 case per 100,000 people to more than 2 cases per 100,000, with colon cancer increasing faster than rectal cancer.