02/12/2026
James Beek passed away at a young age of colon cancer. There has been a rise in colon cancer in young people over the years, which is very scary. Usually by the time you have symptoms its pretty advanced. The colon cancer screening age was lowered years ago from 50 to 45 because of the rise in cases. If you are over 45, please get screened. You can do a colonoscopy or cologuard. Lifestyle changes are critical too .
Colore**al cancer (CRC) rates are rising by approximately 2% annually in adults under 50, making it the leading cause of cancer death in young men and second in young women. Since the 1990s, cases in people under 50 have doubled to roughly 20,000 annually. By 2030, early-onset cases are expected to constitute nearly 11% of all colon and 23% of all re**al cancers.
Key Statistics on Rising Incidence
Rapid Increase: Since 2004, there has been a 15% increase in colon cancer diagnoses in people aged 18-50, according to National Cancer Database (NCDB).
Age-Specific Trends (1999-2020): According to CDC data, diagnoses for ages 30-34 rose from 3.8 to 6.5 per 100,000 people.
10% of Diagnoses: The American Cancer Society reports that about 10% of all new colore**al cancers are now diagnosed in people under 50.
Projections: Early-onset cases are expected to double by 2030, according to The American College of Surgeons.
Risk Factors and Drivers
Lifestyle Factors: Increased consumption of processed foods, red meat, high-fat diets, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles are linked to the rise.
Other Factors: Possible contributing factors include changes in the gut microbiome, increased use of antibiotics, and genetic/hereditary factors.
Detection: Many young patients are diagnosed with advanced, late-stage disease because symptoms are often disregarded or misdiagnosed.
Due to this surge, major organizations like the American Cancer Society recommend beginning screenings at age 45, or earlier for individuals with high-risk factors or symptoms, notes ABC News.
