Why are more young adults getting colon cancer now?
Trends and Age–Period–Cohort Effect on the Incidence of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer (20–44 Years) from 1990 to 2021 in the United States
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
The rise in EO-CRC is strongest in those born after 1983 — not those who are currently older.
People assume aging populations or lifestyle changes in adulthood cause the rise — but this shows it’s tied to early-life exposures, suggesting something in childhood or adolescence is triggering cancer decades later.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re under 45 and have symptoms (blood in stool, persistent bloating, unexplained weight loss), insist on a colonoscopy — don’t wait for your doctor to suggest it.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
The rise in EO-CRC is strongest in those born after 1983 — not those who are currently older.
People assume aging populations or lifestyle changes in adulthood cause the rise — but this shows it’s tied to early-life exposures, suggesting something in childhood or adolescence is triggering cancer decades later.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re under 45 and have symptoms (blood in stool, persistent bloating, unexplained weight loss), insist on a colonoscopy — don’t wait for your doctor to suggest it.
Publication
Journal
Cancers
Year
2024
Authors
W. Aldhaleei, Michael B. Wallace, A. Bhagavathula
Related Content
Claims (5)
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.
People born in the United States after 1983, especially around 1996, are more likely to develop colorectal cancer at a young age than people born before them. This pattern suggests that factors affecting people born in more recent decades may be influencing cancer risk.
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 1990 and 2021, the number of new cases of colorectal cancer in people under age 45 in the United States rose by 34%, from 32.9 to 43.9 cases per 100,000 people.
In the United States, the number of colorectal cancer cases in people under 50 increased by 49% between 1990 and 2021, from about 6,256 to 9,311 cases, indicating a growing trend in this age group.