Trending Now - Rising Bowel Cancer Deaths Among Young Adults Without Degrees

WHO:

ScienceAlert - Dr. Paolo Boffetta, a researcher at Stony Brook Cancer Center in New York, commented on the study.

ScienceAlert - Ahmedin Jemal, the study's first author, emphasized the need for public awareness about colorectal cancer.

WHAT:

Fox News Health - A new study reveals that colorectal cancer deaths are climbing among younger adults without college degrees.

ScienceAlert - The study found that colorectal cancer deaths in young adults have risen almost entirely among those without a four-year college degree.

ScienceAlert - The colorectal cancer death rate for adults aged 25 to 49 rose from about 3 per 100,000 to about 4 per 100,000 from 1994 through 2023.

ScienceAlert - For individuals who only completed high school, the death rate rose from 4 to 5.2 per 100,000, while the rate for those with at least a bachelor's degree remained unchanged at 2.7 per 100,000.

ScienceAlert - The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 158,000 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2026.

ScienceAlert - Colorectal cancer is expected to claim more than 55,000 lives in 2026.

ScienceAlert - Approximately 3,900 deaths from colorectal cancer are expected for adults younger than 50 in 2026.

WHERE:

ScienceAlert - The study utilized government data on colorectal cancer deaths in the United States.

WHEN:

ScienceAlert - The study analyzed data from 1994 through 2023.

ScienceAlert - The American Cancer Society changed its screening guidelines in 2021, lowering the recommended screening age from 50 to 45.

WHY:

ScienceAlert - The rise in colorectal cancer deaths among younger adults is suggested to be driven by socioeconomic factors, as those without degrees tend to earn less, have poorer diets, exercise less, and receive less medical care.

ScienceAlert - The focus on education level in the study is due to the availability of data on schooling, which aligns with statistics about income, health insurance, and chronic disease.

HOW:

ScienceAlert - The study is described as the first national study to show the connection between education level and colorectal cancer death rates.

(UPDATED April 20, 2026 23:18 UTC)

A new study has revealed that colorectal cancer deaths are increasing among younger adults without college degrees, with the death rate for those aged 25 to 49 rising from about 3 to 4 per 100,000 between 1994 and 2023. Researchers, including Dr. Paolo Boffetta from Stony Brook Cancer Center, emphasize the importance of public awareness, as the American Cancer Society estimates over 158,000 new colorectal cancer cases will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year alone, with more than 55,000 expected deaths, including approximately 3,900 for adults under 50.