Alarming 500% Surge: Colorectal Cancer Rates Skyrocket Among U.S. Youths

The incidence of colorectal cancer among younger people in the U.S. has been steadily rising over the past two decades, with the most significant increases observed in the youngest age groups. A study recently presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2024 found that from 1999 to 2020, the rate of colorectal cancers increased by 500% among children aged 10 to 14, 333% among teenagers aged 15 to 19, and 185% among young adults aged 20 to 24.

“Colorectal cancer is no longer considered just a disease of the elderly population,” said lead researcher Islam Mohamed, MD, an internal medicine resident physician at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. “It’s important that the public is aware of signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer.”