News: Colorectal cancer rates among young adults are rising, study finds

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common diagnosis of cancer in both men and women. It is also the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. In a recent study, the American Cancer Society found that CRC rates among adults younger than 65 are rising, even though rates for CRC in older adults are declining. Despite substantial progress against CRC in the U.S. overall, the reasons for rising rates of incidence and mortality in younger adults remain largely unknown.

The study projects that there will be an estimated 158,850 new cases of CRC in the U.S. in 2026, including 108,860 colon tumors and 49,990 rectal tumors. Nearly one half (45%) of new diagnoses are currently in individuals under the age of 65, which is an increase from 27% in 1995. Additionally, an estimated 55,230 individuals will die from CRC in 2026, and nearly one third will be younger than 65 years.

Incidence rates are 32% higher in men than women, however the gap varies by age and tumor location. Men under 50, for example, have a 19% higher risk compared to women, while men between the ages of 50 and 64 have a 44% higher risk of incidence.

Increased rates of CRC are consistent across racial and ethnic groups. CRC incidence among adults younger than 50 rose annually between 2013 and 2022 by 2% in Black individuals, 3% in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, American Indian, Alaska Native, and white individuals, and by 4% in Hispanic individuals.

Much of the disease burden of CRC is linked to preventable causes as per the study. More than half of all CRC diagnoses are attributable to “modifiable risk factors,” including smoking, diet, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and body weight. Additional cases and deaths are preventable through appropriate screening and access to high-quality treatment.

It is estimated that about 940,000 CRC deaths were averted between the years 1975 to 2020 because of a combination of cancer prevention, screening, and advancements of treatment. Increasing awareness of early warning signs for CRC, such as rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and iron-deficiency anemia, may help detect and treat the disease sooner.

Editor’s note: To read the full study, click here. To read additional coverage of this study from JustCoding, click here.