In a troubling trend, children and younger people are increasingly being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, a disease typically associated with individuals over 50.
The American Medical Association (AMA) highlighted this disturbing rise in a new report.
The AMA revealed that younger populations are facing a disturbing reality as cancer rates spike.
Colorectal cancer rates had been in decline since the 1980s.
However, the AMA reported that incidences of the disease among those under 50 have been increasing by approximately 2% per year.
The death rate is now rising by 1% annually.
This shift is alarming, considering that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.
Doug Corley, the chief research officer of The Permanente Medical Group, expressed grave concern, stating, “Colorectal cancer is a substantial problem that causes a lot of mortality and morbidity,” adding weight to the urgent need to address the growing threat, particularly among younger individuals.
Doctors insist that the precise causes behind the uptick in colorectal cancer cases among young people remain unclear.
They argue that factors like obesity and changes in gut bacteria are believed to play a role in increasing cancer risk.
In May 2024, a study presented at