Colorectal Cancer Deaths on the Rise in People Under 50

PHOENIX, Ariz. (March 31, 2026) – A rising trend of younger adults dying from colorectal cancer has one surgeon with Dignity Health Cancer Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center  urging people to get screened. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

The American Cancer Society reports colorectal cancer deaths for people under 50 years old  have risen steadily, up over one percent each year since the mid-2000’s. As for what is behind the concerning uptick in rates, there could be a few lifestyle-related culprits, like eating highly processed foods or red meat, smoking, and alcohol use. But there could be other causes that you might not expect. 

“Things in the environment like increased urbanization or possibly changes in our gut microbiome due to having more exposure to antibiotics when we were younger could be contributing as well,” says Dignity Health colorectal surgeon Mercedes Nikzad, MD.

The current guidance is one screening every ten years starting at age 45, though this only applies to low-risk individuals. For people considered high-risk, like those with a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or those with an inflammatory bowel disease, it is recommended you talk with your primary care provider to determine if you should start earlier. 

“What kind of screening you undergo and the frequency of those will depend on your risk factors or what has already been discovered in previous exams,” Dr. Nikzad explains.

Keep an eye on your bowel habits and make note of any changes, including differences in your stool consistency, blood in your stool, constipation, or stomach cramping. Make sure to bring these changes up to your doctor, even if it feels uncomfortable to do so. 

“There are no embarrassing questions,” shares Dr. Nikzad. “They could lead to early detection, and ultimately, another saved life.”

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