Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for those under 50

As a primary care physician practicing in Arizona for many years, I’ve watched colorectal cancer shift from a condition most patients associated with retirement age to one I’m now discussing with people in their 30s and 40s. Nationally, the American Cancer Society projects that in 2026, there will be nearly 109,000 cases of colon cancer, split about equally between men and women, and nearly 50,000 new cases of rectal cancer, with 28,750 in men and 21,240 in women.

These trends are not abstract. They show up in exam rooms as younger patients presenting with symptoms they often dismiss or delay addressing. Common warning signs can include changes in bowel habits, blood in or on the stool, ongoing abdominal discomfort, and unexplained weight loss.

Part of the danger is that early colorectal cancer can be subtle. Some cases of polyps or colorectal cancer are not associated with symptoms, especially at first. The tragedy is that colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers where screening can do more than detect disease early — it can prevent cancer altogether by identifying and removing precancerous polyps, before they become malignant.

Public awareness tends to spike when public figures are affected by cancer. Coverage involving actors such as James Van Der Beek, who was 48 when he passed recently from colorectal cancer, has helped bring attention to the reality that this disease can affect younger people. Those moments can prompt important conversations, but colorectal cancer is not a celebrity issue. It’s a community issue, and it’s affecting families across Arizona.

There is encouraging news here. When colorectal cancer is detected at the localized stage, the five-year survival rate exceeds 90 percent. Outcomes worsen dramatically once the disease spreads, underscoring why timing matters.

Arizona has made progress on screening, and that momentum matters. According to America’s Health Rankings, roughly two-thirds of Arizona adults ages 45 to 75 are up to date on one or more recommended colorectal cancer screening tests.

Screening saves lives, and it saves healthcare dollars by preventing advanced disease. In Arizona, the average cost of a colorectal cancer-related hospital discharge is about $115,000. Yet too many younger adults assume screening isn’t relevant to them, and too many older adults delay testing because they feel well. Both assumptions can be costly. The American Cancer Society and other medical organizations recommend that average-risk adults begin regular screening at age 45, and earlier for those with family history or other risk factors.

Colorectal cancer is becoming more common among younger people, but it remains one of the most preventable and treatable cancers when we act early. Awareness is the first step. Screening is next. Your life may depend on both.