Trending Now - Rising Rectal Cancer Rates Affect Younger Adults in U.S.

WHO:

American Cancer Society (organization)

Rebecca Siegel (cancer epidemiologist, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society)

Laura Behnke (patient diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer at age 42)

WHAT:

Rectal cancer rates are rising in the U.S., now accounting for one-third of all colon cancers diagnosed.

The rate of rectal cancers diagnosed in people under 50 doubled from 1998 to 2022.

Colon cancer rates are rising 3% per year in people under 50.

Colon cancer rates are decreasing in people over 65 at a rate of about 2.5% each year.

Almost half (45%) of colon cancer diagnoses today are in people under 65.

Three-quarters of colon cancer diagnoses in patients under 50 are advanced disease.

One-third of the estimated 55,230 colon cancer deaths in 2026 in the U.S. will be in people under 65.

WHERE:

United States

At least 26 other countries have reported similar trends in young adults under 50 developing colon cancer.

WHEN:

The report was released on March 3, 2026.

The data covers the period from 1998 to 2022.

The study referenced was conducted in 2021.

WHY:

The increase in colon cancer, particularly rectal cancer, is suggested to be linked to environmental or behavioral exposures introduced in the last half of the 20th century.

Changes in diet since 1950 may be contributing to the rise in colon cancer rates.

HOW:

Experts recommend colonoscopies for everyone starting at age 45.

Home stool tests, called fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), are suggested as a simple and cheap method for detecting rectal cancers.

Increased awareness and normalization of discussing symptoms like bloody stool and abdominal cramping are emphasized as critical for early diagnosis.

QUOTES:

"It's some either environmental or behavioral exposure that was introduced in the last half of the 20th century," - Rebecca Siegel.

"It's really like a slow-moving tsunami where it's going to continue to affect more and more people," - Rebecca Siegel.

"I think it is pretty clear now, hopefully becoming more clear to everyone that this is not an old man's disease," - Laura Behnke.

A new report from the American Cancer Society reveals that rectal cancer rates are rising in the U.S., now making up one-third of all colon cancer diagnoses, with rates in people under 50 doubling from 1998 to 2022. Rebecca Siegel, a senior scientific director at the organization, notes that almost half of current colon cancer diagnoses are in individuals under 65, and three-quarters of those under 50 have advanced disease, highlighting the need for increased awareness and early detection. Laura Behnke, a patient diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer at age 42, emphasizes that this is not just an old man's disease, as experts recommend starting colonoscopies at age 45 and normalizing discussions around symptoms like bloody stool and abdominal cramping.