Rachel V Thomas

Health and Me

Colorectal Cancer Rates Rising in US Across Nearly All Age Groups After 20 Years of Decline

<span>Colorectal <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">cancer</a></span> rates are rising across nearly all age groups in the United States, reversing more than two decades of decline, according to a new study.

The disease is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths overall in the US and the leading cause among adults younger than 50. The latest findings, published in the journal NEJM Evidence, show that the increase now extends to older adults. 

“This is the first time that we have seen an increase in the overall rate in more than 20 years,” said Caitlin Murphy, professor of pediatrics and public health sciences at the University of Chicago.

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/3-time-colon-cancer-survivor-reveals-first-symptom-she-noticed-at-14-article-156333708" data-type="tilCustomLink">3-Time Colon Cancer Survivor Reveals First Symptom She Noticed At 14</a>

Researchers analyzed National <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/cancer">Cancer</a></span> Institute data from 2000 to 2023. The age-adjusted incidence rate fell from 55.2 per 100,000 people in 2000 to 36.7 in 2022, before rising to 38.3 in 2023.

The sharpest increase was seen among adults aged 45–49, with rates rising 12.76% annually from 2019 to 2023. Researchers attributed this partly to increased screening after US guidelines lowered the starting age from 50 to 45. 

Currently US guidelines recommend that adults at average risk begin screening at 45 and continue through 75.

“That means that screening is doing as we intend it to do—it’s catching cancer earlier,” Murphy said.

However, screening alone does not explain the broader trend. Rates are also rising among adults aged 65–69 and have plateaued among those aged 70–74, despite about 80% of these groups being up to date with screening. The findings suggest unknown risk factors may be offsetting its benefits. 

<h2>Birth Cohort Effect May Explain the Rise </h2>

Murphy described a possible “birth cohort effect,” in which people born in the 1960s and later face higher risks as they age. 

“As people born around the same time move through time and age together, we’re going to see more colorectal cancers being diagnosed,” she said. 

The researchers also examined whether COVID-19 disruptions contributed to the increase. However, the trend persisted after data from 2020 and 2021 were excluded, making the pandemic an unlikely explanation for the rise in 2023. 

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/aspirin-colon-cancer-lancet-study-explains-why-it-could-help-at-an-earlier-stage-but-not-after-spread-article-156287580" data-type="tilCustomLink">Aspirin &amp; Colon Cancer: Lancet Study Explains Why It Could Help At An Earlier Stage But Not After Spread</a>

<h2>Environmental Chemicals Likely Reason </h2>

Researchers have yet to identify the drivers, but environmental chemical exposures are one possible contributor. 

The team plans to measure thousands of exposures in small blood samples, then use organoids—specialized models of colon tissue—to study the effects of chemicals warranting further investigation.

<span>American Cancer Society</span> statistics show that incidence among adults aged 20–49 increased by 3% annually from 2013 to 2022. 

Sonia Kupfer, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic at UChicago Medicine, said identifying the causes could help researchers pinpoint and potentially reduce risk factors. 

The American Cancer Society notes that colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/colon-cancer" data-type="tilCustomLink">colon </a> or the rectum. Colorectal cancer impacts around 1.9 million people every year, noted the World Health Organization (WHO) as per its 2022 data. 

It is a disease of large bowel and a type of cancer that originates from the rectum or colon. A person's colon, cecum, rectum and anus make up the large intestine. 

The researchers called for continued monitoring as cancer registry data are updated annually. If the trend continues, rising diagnoses could increase demand for treatment and survivorship care. 

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard, while blood-based and home-based stool tests offer alternatives. Adults younger than 45 who are not eligible for routine screening should watch for blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss, and seek medical attention if these occur.

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Colorectal cancer rates are rising across nearly all age groups in the United States, reversing more than two decades of decline, according to a new study. The disease is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths overall in the US and the leading cause among adults younger than 50. The latest findings, published in the journal NEJM Evidence, show that the increase now extends to older adults. “This is the first time that we have seen an increase in the overall rate in more than 20 years,” said Caitlin Murphy, professor of pediatrics and public health sciences at the University of Chicago. Rates Rise Across Age Groups Also read: 3-Time Colon Cancer Survivor Reveals First Symptom She Noticed At 14Researchers analyzed National Cancer Institute data from 2000 to 2023. The age-adjusted incidence rate fell from 55.2 per 100,000 people in 2000 to 36.7 in 2022, before rising to 38.3 in 2023. The sharpest increase was seen among adults aged 45–49, with rates rising 12.76% annually from 2019 to 2023. Researchers attributed this partly to increased screening after US guidelines lowered the starting age from 50 to 45. Currently US guidelines recommend that adults at average risk begin screening at 45 and continue through 75. “That means that screening is doing as we intend it to do—it’s catching cancer earlier,” Murphy said. However, screening alone does not explain the broader trend. Rates are also rising among adults aged 65–69 and have plateaued among those aged 70–74, despite about 80% of these groups being up to date with screening. The findings suggest unknown risk factors may be offsetting its benefits. Birth Cohort Effect May Explain the Rise Murphy described a possible “birth cohort effect,” in which people born in the 1960s and later face higher risks as they age. “As people born around the same time move through time and age together, we’re going to see more colorectal cancers being diagnosed,” she said. The researchers also examined whether COVID-19 disruptions contributed to the increase. However, the trend persisted after data from 2020 and 2021 were excluded, making the pandemic an unlikely explanation for the rise in 2023. Read More: Aspirin & Colon Cancer: Lancet Study Explains Why It Could Help At An Earlier Stage But Not After SpreadEnvironmental Chemicals Likely Reason Researchers have yet to identify the drivers, but environmental chemical exposures are one possible contributor. The team plans to measure thousands of exposures in small blood samples, then use organoids—specialized models of colon tissue—to study the effects of chemicals warranting further investigation. American Cancer Society statistics show that incidence among adults aged 20–49 increased by 3% annually from 2013 to 2022. Sonia Kupfer, director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic at UChicago Medicine, said identifying the causes could help researchers pinpoint and potentially reduce risk factors. Screening Remains Key The American Cancer Society notes that colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon  or the rectum. Colorectal cancer impacts around 1.9 million people every year, noted the World Health Organization (WHO) as per its 2022 data.  It is a disease of large bowel and a type of cancer that originates from the rectum or colon. A person's colon, cecum, rectum and anus make up the large intestine. The researchers called for continued monitoring as cancer registry data are updated annually. If the trend continues, rising diagnoses could increase demand for treatment and survivorship care.  Colonoscopy remains the gold standard, while blood-based and home-based stool tests offer alternatives. Adults younger than 45 who are not eligible for routine screening should watch for blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits and unexplained weight loss, and seek medical attention if these occur.

colorectal cancer rates rising in us across nearly all age groups after 20 years of decline

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