Colorectal cancer rising in people under 50, experts say.

Colorectal cancer rates have risen among Americans under 50 and now account for more cancer deaths in that age group than breast or brain cancers; updated guidance recommends average‑risk screening begin at 45, with earlier surveillance for those with a family history or inherited conditions.

Colorectal cancer has been drawing renewed attention since the 2020 death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who died at 43 from late-stage colon cancer. Rates have risen steadily over the past two decades, and colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer deaths in Americans under 50. Experts note that up to half of cases are thought to be preventable through lifestyle and early detection, and clinicians are discussing shifts in screening timing. What is known: - Colorectal cancer rates in adults under 50 have increased and now surpass breast and brain cancers as causes of cancer death in that age group. - The US Multi-Society Task Force recommends that average-risk adults aged 45–49 not wait until 50 to begin screening. - Adults are advised to undergo screening through age 75; decisions for ages 76–85 are individualized based on life expectancy, prior screening and overall health. - People with a close relative diagnosed with colorectal cancer may be advised to start screening at age 40; Lynch syndrome carriers are reported to begin colonoscopies at about ages 20–25, and familial adenomatous polyposis surveillance often begins between ages 10 and 12. - Screening options include blood and stool tests, while colonoscopy is described as the diagnostic and therapeutic standard because it can detect and remove polyps but is invasive and carries risks. Summary: Rising diagnoses in younger adults have shifted attention toward earlier and more tailored screening. Guidelines suggest average-risk screening beginning at 45, with earlier or more frequent surveillance for people with family histories or inherited syndromes; routine screening is discussed through age 75 and individualized thereafter. Experts also report that diet, physical activity, alcohol intake and sleep have been linked to colorectal cancer risk, and these factors are part of the wider conversation about prevention and detection.