For decades, colorectal cancer was largely considered a disease of older adults. However, physicians are raising alarms about a significant increase in diagnoses among younger individuals – even those in their 20s. The recent passing of actor James Van Der Beek, who died from the disease at age 48, has brought renewed attention to this concerning trend.
While the exact reasons for the rise in colorectal cancer among young adults remain unclear, researchers are observing patterns. Factors such as highly processed foods, a lack of physical activity and alcohol consumption are more frequently reported in younger patients. It’s important to note that these factors don’t automatically represent direct causes, but the correlation is notable.
Increasingly, attention is turning to the gut microbiome. Our intestines are home to a complex community of microorganisms that play a role in digestion, the immune system, and inflammatory processes. An imbalance in this ecosystem can lead to chronic inflammation, potentially increasing the risk of tumor formation.
Risk Factors: What Increases Your Chance?
Genetic predisposition plays a role, but lifestyle is equally important. A diet high in red and processed meats and low in fiber has been linked to a higher risk of colorectal cancer. Alcohol consumption, even in moderation, also increases the risk.
Smoking, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle further contribute to the development of the disease. These factors can also reinforce each other.
Survival Rates: Timing is Everything
There is ongoing discussion about whether younger patients have a different prognosis than older adults. What is certain is that early detection makes a world of difference. When the disease is diagnosed in its early stages, the five-year survival rate is around 80 to 90 percent. If the cancer has already metastasized, that percentage drops dramatically to approximately 10 to 15 percent.
Because colorectal cancer is less expected in younger individuals, diagnoses are sometimes delayed. This can negatively impact outcomes.
Signals You Shouldn’t Ignore
Symptoms in younger patients are similar to those in older adults. Blood in the stool, persistent abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits – such as prolonged diarrhea or constipation – are important warning signs. Unexplained anemia can also be an indicator.
These symptoms don’t automatically mean cancer is present, but they always warrant medical evaluation. In some cases, a colonoscopy may be performed to examine the colon from the inside.
When and How to Screen?
For individuals with average risk, without a family history or prior bowel problems, screening is generally recommended starting at age 45, continuing until around age 75. This can be done through stool-based tests or a direct examination of the colon.
Those with a higher risk, such as those with a genetic predisposition or chronic bowel diseases, are typically eligible for colonoscopy screening earlier and more frequently. In this group, colonoscopy is the preferred method.
A conversation with your primary care physician or a specialist is the first step in determining what is appropriate for your individual situation.
What Can You Do Yourself?
You don’t have complete control, but you do have influence. Regular exercise, a diet rich in fiber, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and limiting processed meats are concrete steps that can reduce your risk. Maintaining a healthy weight is also helpful.
moderating or eliminating alcohol consumption and avoiding smoking are beneficial.
Perhaps most importantly: know your family history. Information about polyps or colorectal cancer in parents, siblings, or children can be crucial for timely screening. Openness about this information can protect not only your health but also the health of your loved ones.
In , a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that while overall cancer mortality decreased by 44% in people younger than 50 in the United States between 1990 and 2023, colorectal cancer increased by 1.1% each year since 2005, rising from the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in this age group to the first. According to Yale Medicine physicians, individuals as young as 20 should be aware of the warning signs, including constipation, rectal bleeding, or sudden changes in bowel movements.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the U.S. … [information incomplete in source material]
