Colorectal Cancer Surges Among Younger Adults

Recent analysis from the American Cancer Society reveals that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related death in individuals under 50 in the United States. This alarming trend has prompted both experts and young adults diagnosed with the disease to urge awareness regarding certain symptoms.

Becca Lynch, a 29-year-old cybersecurity professional from Denver, was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer last year. Initially, she dismissed her symptoms as stress-related. “I wasn’t really thinking it could be anything serious,” she shared.

Now, Lynch is meticulous about detailing her symptoms. It’s not an enjoyable topic, but she doesn’t want anyone else to overlook critical signs. Early on, she experienced “pencil-thin” bowel movements and an increase in frequency—up to five or six times daily. Eventually, she noticed thick, dark blood during her movements.

After watching an Instagram post by Cass Costley, who shared similar symptoms that turned out to be colon cancer, Lynch felt compelled to see a doctor. However, she delayed scheduling a colonoscopy for several months. When she finally did, she learned she had stage 3B colon cancer.

Rebecca Siegel, an epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society and one of the study’s leads, noted that Lynch’s experience is sadly “very common.” Approximately three-quarters of those under 50 are diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer, often due to a lack of screenings and a misconception that their age shields them from such diseases.

Many tend to assume their symptoms are due to hemorrhoids—an explanation that pops up first in any search about blood in stool. Costley, who inspired Lynch’s doctor visit, also believed she might have hemorrhoids and “ignored it” for too long.

Siegel emphasizes the importance of consulting a doctor when experiencing rectal bleeding for more than a couple of weeks. For those without symptoms who are seeking screening, stool tests like Cologuard and the FIT test may serve as initial options before undergoing a colonoscopy.

The situation is different for older adults; colorectal cancer rates are reportedly declining for those over 65. In contrast, among younger populations, it has escalated from the fifth to the first leading cause of cancer death since the 1990s.

This shift implies that healthcare providers need to adapt to the specific concerns of younger patients. Siegel pointed out that doctors typically cater to older patients who may not be worried about issues like fertility or sexual dysfunction. Unfortunately, young survivors often discover after treatment that they cannot have children.

It’s crucial for physicians to discuss potential options for preserving fertility and sexual health before beginning treatment, Siegel stressed.

While the exact reasons behind the rise in colorectal cancer among younger individuals remain unclear, Siegel referred to a phenomenon called the “birth cohort effect.” This suggests that those born after the 1950s have increased risk, indicating an unidentified risk factor introduced mid-20th century that affects successive generations.

Possible contributors might include dietary changes, such as a rise in processed foods and packaged items. “We now know that microplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier, which suggests that our colons are also vulnerable to exposure,” Siegel remarked.

Certain communities, particularly Alaska Natives, face exceptionally high colorectal cancer mortality. However, research funding is limited due to their small population, complicating efforts to uncover the reasons behind their heightened risk.

“If we could secure funding for this health issue, it could really help elucidate why young people are increasingly at risk,” Siegel noted.

Common lifestyle factors like inactivity and obesity can’t fully clarify the surge in diagnoses among younger adults. Prosanta Chakrabarty, a 47-year-old evolutionary biologist, shared his story of being diagnosed with advanced colon cancer despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle and undergoing annual screenings. After multiple rounds of chemotherapy, he still deals with a persistent tumor.

“There were things I didn’t know were options,” Chakrabarty admitted, noting he hadn’t fully grasped the implications of ongoing treatment.

Both Chakrabarty and Lynch actively speak out about their cancer journeys to help dispel the embarrassment that often comes with such diagnoses. Lynch shared her experiences in an AMA on Reddit, while Chakrabarty posted about his journey in a video on Bluesky.

Having been free of symptoms since her surgery but under careful observation, Lynch feels a responsibility to support others, similar to how Costley’s video inspired her. “That’s part of why I wanted to share my experience,” she said.