Colon cancer leading cause of cancer deaths under 50: When to see a doctor and get a colonoscopy

Key Points:

• Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related death among men and women under 50 in the U.S., with rates rising about 1% annually since 2005 despite declines in other cancers.
• Approximately 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer each year, and one in 24 people will face this diagnosis in their lifetime; early detection through colonoscopy offers a 90% survival rate.
• Experts recommend starting routine colon cancer screening at age 45 for average-risk individuals, emphasizing that colonoscopies can both detect and prevent cancer by removing pre-cancerous polyps.
• Lifestyle factors such as diet, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, sedentary behavior, and obesity may contribute to rising colon cancer rates, while maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and limiting processed meats can help reduce risk.
• Symptoms like rectal bleeding, anemia, changes in bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss should prompt medical evaluation, and individuals with a family history of colon cancer or related conditions should consider earlier screening.