Over the past 20 years, colorectal cancer has increasingly affected younger people in the United States. Research indicates a significant rise in the incidence rate of colorectal cancer among those under 45, with a fivefold increase among children aged 10 to 14. This notable trend has garnered widespread attention, prompting recommendations to further lower the current screening age of 45. Experts also urge the public to enhance their awareness of colorectal cancer and to manage modifiable risk factors, such as poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle habits.
According to 2023 statistics from the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second-deadliest cancer in the United States after lung cancer. More than 153,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 52,550 are expected to die from the disease. Among these, 19,550 cases and 3,750 deaths involve patients under the age of 50, classified as early-onset colorectal cancer.
