In a study from the American Cancer Society, scientists found that colon cancer continues to rise among younger U.S. adults. As of 2019, 20% of colon cancer cases occurred in adults under age 55—up from just 11% in 1995.
In addition, there are more Americans who are being diagnosed with advanced stages of the disease.
The researchers found that the proportion of people diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer reached 60% in 2019, up from 52% in the mid‐2000s.
The rate of advanced disease was 57% in 1995 before widespread screening was available.
The team recommends that screening starts at age 45 for people at average risk. But Jemal said only 4 in 10 adults are being screened.
In the study, the team used data available through 2019 from 50 states and the District of Columbia from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
They found that the incidence of colon cancer and related deaths declined from 3%-4% a year during the early 2000s to 1% a year and 2% a year, respectively, in the past decade.
Colon cancer rates were 33% higher in men than in women from 2015 to 2019, likely due to differences in risk factors, such as excess body weight, eating processed meats, and smoking.
The researchers found rates of colon cancer have declined for those 65 and older and have stabilized for people 50 to 64, but have increased by 2% yearly in people younger than 50 and those 50 to 54.
Moreover, deaths from colon cancer have increased since about 2005 by 1% a year in people younger than 50 and by nearly 1% in people 50 to 54, the researchers say.
The team also found the highest rates of colon cancer are among Alaska Natives (88.5 per 100,000), American Indians (46 per 100,000), and Black people (41.7 per 100,000).
Among white people, the incidence is 35.7 per 100,000. Death patterns are similar, with the highest among Alaska Natives, American Indians, and Black people.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that a low-carb diet could increase overall cancer risk, and vitamin D supplements could strongly reduce cancer death.
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The study was conducted by researcher Dr. Ahmedin Jemal et al and published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
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