Colorectal cancer emerges as a rising threat among under-50s amid overall cancer drops

A American Cancer Society study published in JAMA finds that cancer death rates for people under 50 have dropped 44% from 1990 to 2023, driven by declines in breast cancer, leukemia, and especially lung cancer. However, colorectal cancer deaths in this age group have risen, making CRC the leading cancer killer under 50 by 2023. Experts cite possible factors like diet, obesity, and environmental exposures and stress the role of colonoscopy screening—ACS recommends starting regular screenings at age 45—in preventing deaths, though uptake in ages 45–49 remains a key target for reducing early-onset CRC.