The American Cancer Society has reported a surge in colorectal cancer cases in adults under 50, with a new study published in JAMA. The American Cancer Society updated its guidelines for colon and rectal cancer screening in 2018, recommending that adults at average risk get screened starting at age 45. In 2021, the US Preventive Services Task force lowered the recommended age to start screening for colon and rectal cancers from 50 to 45. This shift in screening guidelines is associated with a recent increase in early-stage colorectal cancer diagnoses, but it does not explain the overall rise among younger adults in general. Research efforts are ongoing to identify factors beyond screening guidelines contributing to the overall rise in colorectal cancer incidence. A second study also conducted by the American Cancer Society found that the prevalence of early-stage colorectal cancer diagnoses among adults 45 to 49 increased from 9.4 cases per 100,000 people in 2019 to 11.7 per 100,000 in 2021 and then to 17.5 per 100,000 in 2022. Public health experts urge people to know the warning signs and get screened when eligible.
The increasing number of young people being screened for colon cancer is leading to early detection, and there are ways to reduce the risk. Sac 853
