The Alarming Rise of Colon Cancer in People Under 50

Kafayat Yusuf
Jul 12
3 min read

Infographic edited by Kafayat Yusuf. Designed with assistance from OpenAI’s DALL·E.

When we think of colon cancer, it is often seen as a disease of older adults. However, a disturbing shift is unfolding in colorectal cancer, encompassing both colon and rectal cancers, that is increasingly affecting people under 50, and the exact cause remains unclear.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer rates in adults younger than 55 have been increasing by about 2% per year since the mid-1990s, even as overall rates have declined due to better screening among older adults (Siegel et al., 2023). Today, it stands as the second leading cause of cancer death in people under 50 in the U.S. (American Cancer Society, 2023).

1. A Rising Tide Among the Young

A 2023 report revealed that 1 in 5 new colorectal cancer cases now occurs in individuals younger than 55, twice the rate seen in the 1990s. Even more concerning, younger patients are more often diagnosed at later stages when treatment is more difficult. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has revised its guidelines, recommending that average-risk adults begin screening at age 45 instead of 50 (USPSTF, 2021).

2. Symptoms You Should not Ignore

One of the main challenges with early-onset colorectal cancer is that its symptoms are frequently mistaken for benign issues like stress, hemorrhoids, or digestive upset. Warning signs include:

Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
Persistent changes in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea)
Abdominal pain or cramping that doesn’t resolve
Unexplained weight loss
Chronic fatigue or weakness

Prompt medical evaluation is essential if these symptoms persist, especially in younger adults.

3. Why Is This Happening?

Several lifestyle and environmental factors are suspected contributors:

Dietary patterns: A Western diet rich in processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and low in fiber has been strongly linked to colorectal cancer (Drewes et al., 2017).
Obesity and inactivity: Excess weight, particularly around the abdomen, fuels chronic inflammation, which can promote cancer.
Gut microbiome disruption: Altered gut bacteria, possibly due to antibiotics, poor diet, or environmental toxins, may influence tumor development (Yang et al., 2021).
Environmental exposures: Chemicals like BPA in plastics, pollution, and certain medications are being investigated as possible risk factors.
Delayed diagnosis: Many young people are misdiagnosed or their symptoms dismissed, delaying detection and treatment.

4. What You Can Do: Protective Actions

Know your family history: Inherited conditions like Lynch syndrome significantly increase colorectal cancer risk.
Advocate for early screening: If you have symptoms or risk factors, push for evaluation even before 45.
Eat a fiber-rich diet: Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes nourish the gut and may lower cancer risk.
Exercise and maintain a healthy weight: Physical activity reduces inflammation and improves immune health.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: Both are linked to an increased risk of colorectal and other cancers.

Conclusion

Colon cancer does not just affect older adults; it is increasingly striking younger people, often with more aggressive disease. It is time to update public awareness and medical guidelines to reflect this reality. Trust your instincts if you notice persistent symptoms or just feel something is not right. Early detection saves lives.

References:

1. Siegel, R. L., Miller, K. D., Wagle, N. S., & Jemal, A. (2023). Colorectal cancer statistics, 2023. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 73(3), 233–254. [https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21736](https://doi.org/10.3322/caac.21736)

2. U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (2021). Screening for Colorectal Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA, 325(19), 1965–1977. [https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.6238](https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.6238)

3. Drewes, J. C., et al. (2017). Western dietary patterns and colorectal cancer risk: A meta-analysis. Clinical Nutrition, 36(4), 1033–1040. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2016.06.010](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2016.06.010)

4. Yang, L., et al. (2021). Gut microbiota and colorectal cancer: From pathogenesis to therapy. Cancer Letters, 495, 53–62. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2020.10.001](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.canlet.2020.10.001)

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