01/24/2026
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is no longer a disease exclusively associated with aging. Over the past two decades, researchers have observed a concerning, rapid rise in early-onset colorectal cancer—diagnoses in individuals under 50 years of age. While this trend is global, it is particularly pronounced in the United States, where colorectal cancer is projected to become a leading cause of cancer death for young adults by 2030. Mounting scientific evidence points to two major environmental and dietary contributors to this crisis: the high consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and the infiltration of microplastics into the food chain. Significantly, these risks are not distributed equally, with people of color, particularly African Americans, experiencing higher rates of exposure and earlier, more aggressive diagnoses.
Ultra-processed foods—industrial formulations containing additives, preservatives, high-fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils—now make up nearly 60% of daily caloric intake for American adults. Studies, including those analyzing data from 30,000 women, show that high consumption of UPFs increases the risk of developing precancerous adenomas by 45%. These foods trigger chronic gut inflammation, disrupt the gut microbiome, and promote obesity, creating an ideal environment for tumor development. Furthermore, these products are often packaged in plastics that leach chemicals like BPA and phthalates, contributing to the ingestion of microplastics. Microplastics have been identified in human colorectal tissue, where they are believed to damage the intestinal barrier and promote tumorigenesis.
The disproportionate impact on communities of color is a direct result of environmental injustice and systemic factors. Structural inequalities, including the prevalence of food deserts, limit access to fresh, healthy, whole foods, forcing many to rely on more affordable and accessible UPFs. Research has shown that Black women are particularly affected by the life cycle of plastic pollution, encountering higher levels of environmental toxins and packaged foods. Furthermore, studies found that while African American households may purchase a lower proportion of certain processed foods than white households, they have higher purchases of processed sugary beverages, contributing to higher, more severe disparities in health outcomes.
The consequence of this, paired with genetic and environmental factors, is the alarming reduction in the age of CRC diagnosis for African Americans. African Americans are 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer than white Americans, and they are twice as likely to be diagnosed before age 50. Furthermore, they are often diagnosed at a more advanced stage, with a higher prevalence of aggressive, right-sided (proximal) colon cancers. Due to this trend, the American College of Physicians recommends that screening for African Americans should begin at age 40, or 10 years earlier than the general population.
In conclusion, the rise of early-onset colorectal cancer is intrinsically linked to modern dietary habits and environmental exposure to plastics. The disproportionate exposure of communities of color to these risks, driven by systemic inequality, has resulted in a public health crisis that manifests as earlier, more lethal diagnoses for African Americans. Addressing this requires not only earlier screenings but also systemic, structural changes to food access and environmental regulation to mitigate these risks.
