US Sees Alarming Rise in Colorectal Cancer Deaths Among Young Adults
A new report from the American Cancer Society reveals that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death among young adults in the US. The data, which analyzed 1.3 million deaths between 1990 and 2023, shows a disturbing trend - mortality rates for breast cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, and leukemia have all declined, while those for colorectal cancer have surged by around 1% annually since 2005.
This upward trend is particularly concerning given the fact that young adults under 50 account for nearly half of all colorectal cancer diagnoses. While increased prevention and screening measures are credited with the overall decline in cancer deaths among this age group, experts point to environmental factors such as smoking, obesity, and poor diets high in processed foods as potential contributors to the rising incidence.
"We weren't expecting colorectal cancer to rise to this level so quickly," Dr. Ahmedin Jemal warned. "Now it's clear that this can no longer be called an old person's disease. We must double down on research to pinpoint what is driving this tsunami of cancer in generations born since 1950." The American Cancer Society has called for increased screening and prevention efforts, particularly among those between 45-49 years old.
The alarming rise in colorectal cancer deaths raises questions about the long-term impact of lifestyle choices and environmental factors on cancer rates. As one expert noted, "We can no longer afford to assume that this is an older person's disease - we must take action now."
A new report from the American Cancer Society reveals that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death among young adults in the US. The data, which analyzed 1.3 million deaths between 1990 and 2023, shows a disturbing trend - mortality rates for breast cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, and leukemia have all declined, while those for colorectal cancer have surged by around 1% annually since 2005.
This upward trend is particularly concerning given the fact that young adults under 50 account for nearly half of all colorectal cancer diagnoses. While increased prevention and screening measures are credited with the overall decline in cancer deaths among this age group, experts point to environmental factors such as smoking, obesity, and poor diets high in processed foods as potential contributors to the rising incidence.
"We weren't expecting colorectal cancer to rise to this level so quickly," Dr. Ahmedin Jemal warned. "Now it's clear that this can no longer be called an old person's disease. We must double down on research to pinpoint what is driving this tsunami of cancer in generations born since 1950." The American Cancer Society has called for increased screening and prevention efforts, particularly among those between 45-49 years old.
The alarming rise in colorectal cancer deaths raises questions about the long-term impact of lifestyle choices and environmental factors on cancer rates. As one expert noted, "We can no longer afford to assume that this is an older person's disease - we must take action now."
, I just read this crazy news about colorectal cancer deaths among young adults in the US... like what's going on? 
I remember when my parents were talking about colon cancer and how it was for old people 
, but apparently that's not true anymore. It's scary to think that all those processed foods we eat are contributing to this 
, and smoking's still a major problem too... 
. We need to get our priorities straight and start taking care of our tummies! 
Let's hope the American Cancer Society can find out what's going on and help us prevent more cases 
Cancer Alert! 
! We need to get serious about prevention and screening, especially for those between 45-49 years old 
. I mean, what's going on with our diets? It can't be that hard to eat healthy and avoid all the stuff that's killing us... 
The American Cancer Society is right, we need more research and action ASAP! 
The fact that colorectal cancer deaths are skyrocketing among young adults in the US is just devastating. I mean, we're talking about a 1% annual increase since 2005, which might not seem like much, but trust me, it's huge when you consider the sheer number of people affected. And to think that nearly half of all colorectal cancer diagnoses are happening among people under 50... it's just heartbreaking.
. I mean, all these years we've been told it's old people's disease and we should be more careful about our diet... but clearly that's not enough 
. Now we gotta worry about smoking and obesity too? It's like, what are we doing to ourselves?! 
Can't just sit back and wait for something to change, gotta take action NOW! 
. we need to get serious about addressing these environmental factors ASAP or else we'll be seeing more and more young adults diagnosed with this deadly disease 
. can't just assume it's an older person's problem anymore, gotta take action now! 
I'm super concerned about this trend... Colorectal cancer deaths among young adults are rising alarmingly & it's all the more shocking since other cancers like breast, lung, brain & leukemia have seen a decline. It's gotta be linked to lifestyle choices & environmental factors - think smoking, obesity & poor diets 
We gotta dig deeper to understand this trend & find solutions! 
I'm not a doctor or anything but it seems like common sense, you know? We need to take action now, I agree with Dr Jemal 
And now they're saying it's not just an old person's disease? That's wild. We need to crack down on that stuff and get some answers... fast 
.
... I mean, who needs screening and prevention measures when you're a young adult? It's not like the cancer isn't gonna spread like wildfire or something... I'm seriously worried about these kids, though. All that processed food and smoking is straight up poison 
. They need to get their priorities together and start taking care of themselves already! And can we please just acknowledge that this trend was predicted ages ago? Like, when are we gonna learn from history here? 
not just pizza and burgers 
