Shortly after my 54th birthday, I received a package containing instructions to collect a stool sample. Following the guidelines, I submitted the sample for analysis. A few weeks later, I was summoned to the hospital to discuss the results: my sample had revealed the presence of blood, necessitating a colonoscopy to rule out colorectal cancer.
Fortunately, I do not have colorectal cancer; however, a colonoscopy at age 54 has become a common step into middle age. Alarmingly, this rite of passage may soon be experienced by individuals much younger than 50. While screening programs have successfully reduced colorectal cancer rates in older adults, the trend for those under 50 is increasingly concerning.
Once rare in the 20th century, early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) now represents approximately 10 percent of all new cases globally. This figure is projected to more than double by 2030, potentially making EOCRC the most prevalent fatal cancer among Americans aged 20 to 49.
The reasons behind this troubling rise remain unclear, but an ambitious new study is investigating possible causes and examining whether EOCRC might be a distinct and more aggressive form of the disease. As routine screening expands to younger demographics, including the recent decision in England to lower the screening age to 50, and with the advent of less invasive testing methods…
