Rectal cancer deaths rising among younger adults, Upstate study finds
Syracuse.com • • health
Key Points:
- A study from SUNY Upstate Medical University reveals that deaths from rectal cancer are rising among younger adults, with rates increasing two to three times faster than colon cancer in this group.
- If current trends continue, rectal cancer is projected to become the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 50 by 2035, according to the study’s lead author, Mythili Menon Pathiyil.
- Nearly half of new colorectal cancer cases now occur in adults under 65, driven largely by an increase in rectal cancer, while rates among older adults have declined due to improved screening efforts.
- The reasons for the rise in rectal cancer among millennials and younger Gen X adults remain unclear, but late-stage diagnosis in 75% of patients under 50 contributes to higher mortality rates.
- Current screening guidelines recommend colonoscopies starting at age 45, but early detection is crucial as colorectal cancer is often curable if caught early, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and preventive action.
