Rates of Colorectal Cancer Rising in Younger People
9/18/2025
TUCSON, AZ (Sept. 18, 2025) – Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States – and the statistics on the rates by age have surprised the medical community.
Between 2012 and 2021, more colorectal cancer cases were identified in adults under the age of 50 each year, while the rates for adults 50 and older have decreased over the same period. The American Cancer Society estimates about 107,320 new cases of colon cancer and 46,950 new cases of rectal cancer will be found in 2025.
Jessica Stephens, M.D., a colorectal and general surgeon with Northwest Colorectal Surgery at La Cholla, says that colorectal cancer screening is a critical tool to fight the disease.
“Precancerous growths can be detected and removed before they develop into cancer,” she says.
The American Cancer Society and US Preventive Services task force both recommend the age to start screening for colorectal cancers is 45 for those at average risk. Patients at higher risk may be advised by their physicians to have an initial screening before age 45, or to have more frequent screening.
Higher risk factors include:
- A personal or family history of colorectal cancer, or of certain types of polyps;
- A personal history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease;
- A history of radiation in the abdomen or pelvis, in treatment of previous cancer(s);
- A genetic and hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome.
In addition to colonoscopy, the most commonly known screening, several types of tests can screen for colorectal cancer. Fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy and DNA stool test are also used.
“While doctors are doing a better job of screening for and removing polyps before they become cancerous, the overall lifestyle and diet choices of our population are driving up the risk and incidence of these cancers,” says Dr. Stephens.
“Beyond regular screenings, there are a number of lifestyle factors you can manage to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Just as with heart health, staying active and maintaining a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains and limiting red meats and sugary drinks, may lower your risk.”
Other risk factors include:
- Maintaining a healthy body weight;
- Managing your type 2 diabetes if you have the disease
- Minimizing red meats in your diet, including beef, pork, lamb, liver and processed meat
- Avoiding smoking
- Limiting your alcohol intake
Depending on your age, a colonoscopy screening may be a covered wellness test under your insurance plan – and most plans cover a colonoscopy completely as a follow-up test or diagnostic tool.
If you have a family history of colon cancer, or have reached age 45 or more, talk with your primary care provider to see if it’s time for you to begin screening, which test is right for you and how frequently to be screened.
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