New US study shows that CRC is the number one cause of cancer death in people under 50
A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at cancer deaths in people younger than 50 in the U.S. from 1990 to 2023 to see whether outcomes are improving.
Overall, cancer death rates in this age group have dropped by 44% over the past 30 years. Deaths from many major cancers, including breast cancer, leukemia, lung cancer, brain cancer, cervical cancer, lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer, have steadily declined thanks to better treatments, prevention, and earlier detection.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the only major cancer where deaths are rising in people under 50.
- Since 2005, CRC deaths in this age group have increased by about 1% per year
- CRC has moved from the 5th leading cause of cancer death in the early 1990s to the #1 cancer death in people under 50 in 2023
- This trend is seen in both men and women
Many younger adults with CRC are diagnosed at a late stage because symptoms are often overlooked or mistaken for less serious conditions.
Red flag symptoms to take seriously:
- Blood in the stool
- Persistent abdominal pain
- Changes in bowel habits
- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
What can help:
- Screening now starts at age 45 for average-risk adults in the US
- Earlier screening is recommended for people with a family history or genetic risk
- Paying attention to symptoms and seeking medical care early can lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes
While progress has been made against most cancers in younger adults, colorectal cancer rates are rising. This highlights an urgent need for awareness, earlier detection, and prevention.
