Why are more young people getting colon cancer?
Colorectal Cancer in Younger Adults.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Up to 35% of young colorectal cancer patients have hereditary syndromes despite no family history.
People assume genetics only matter if cancer runs in the family—but this shows hidden mutations are common and undetected.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re under 50 and have a family history of colon cancer—or even just a history of sugary drink consumption as a teen—talk to your doctor about early screening.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Up to 35% of young colorectal cancer patients have hereditary syndromes despite no family history.
People assume genetics only matter if cancer runs in the family—but this shows hidden mutations are common and undetected.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re under 50 and have a family history of colon cancer—or even just a history of sugary drink consumption as a teen—talk to your doctor about early screening.
Publication
Journal
Hematology/oncology clinics of North America
Year
2022
Authors
Pooja Dharwadkar, T. Zaki, C. Murphy
Related Content
Claims (3)
In the United States, the number of people under age 50 diagnosed with colorectal cancer has risen significantly since the 1990s, from about 8.6 to 12.9 cases per 100,000 people.
Between the early 1990s and 2018, the number of new colorectal cancer cases in people under 50 in the U.S. rose by nearly 50%, from 8.6 to 12.9 cases per 100,000 people, and similar increases have been seen in other countries, suggesting a growing trend not explained by older populations.
Younger adults under 50 are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer than older adults, because screening is not routinely recommended for them and symptoms are often overlooked by both patients and doctors.