In the United States, more adults aged 50 to 64 are being diagnosed with and dying from colorectal cancer, especially when the cancer is already advanced at diagnosis, even though many in this group are getting screened. This suggests that current screening methods may not be catching the cancer early enough in this age group.

We’ve found that colorectal cancer rates are rising in adults aged 50 to 64 in the United States, even though many in this group are getting screened [1]. The evidence we’ve reviewed suggests that more people in this age range are being diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer, meaning the disease is often not caught early enough by current screening practices [1]. This doesn’t mean screening isn’t helpful — it’s still being used widely. But the pattern we see points to a possible gap: the way screening is done may not be detecting cancers early in this specific group. It’s possible that cancers in people aged 50 to 64 are developing faster, or starting in places that are harder to spot with standard tests. Or maybe the timing or type of screening isn’t matching how the disease is showing up now. We don’t know exactly why this is happening. The evidence doesn’t tell us if it’s due to lifestyle, biology, screening delays, or something else. But the fact that diagnoses and deaths are going up despite high screening rates means something about the current approach isn’t working as well as it should for this age group. What this means for you: If you’re between 50 and 64, staying up to date with screening is still important. But if you notice changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or persistent fatigue, don’t wait for your next scheduled test — talk to your doctor. Screening is a tool, not a guarantee, and early symptoms matter just as much as the schedule.