Interviews Today: 20% Of Colon Cancer Cases Age 55 And Younger -02/24/25

PORTLAND, Ore. (February 26, 2025): Colorectal cancer diagnosis and deaths are on the rise among younger adults, and a report by the American Cancer Society (ACA) shows one in five people diagnosed are under age 55. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and physicians at Kaiser Permanente Northwest encourage regular screenings to catch colon cancer early and save lives.

 

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, and it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men younger than 50. This growing trend of younger adults being diagnosed led the American Cancer Society in 2018 to lower colorectal screening guidelines to begin at age 45. Regular screening is one of the most powerful tools for detecting colorectal cancer early or even preventing it altogether.

 

Colorectal cancer symptoms typically don't occur until the cancer is more advanced and more difficult to treat. That's why a fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is an effective and convenient screening option that can be done in the privacy of your own home to help catch colon cancer early, when it is more treatable.

 

"Colon cancer can happen to anyone at any age," said Dr. David Parsons, Colon and Rectal Surgeon with Kaiser Permanente Northwest. "There can be no symptoms with colorectal cancer, so it's not advisable to wait until symptoms like changes in stool, abdominal pain or bleeding present themselves. Early detection is important. Colon cancer is preventable and treatable with proper screenings."

 

Interviews available: 

Dr. David Parsons, Colon and Rectal Surgeon with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, is available for Zoom interviews on Monday, Feb. 24 btwn. 2-4 p.m. Contact Karen Vitt to schedule.

 

Dr. Parsons is prepared to discuss: 

* Types of colorectal screening, including home tests 
* Why screening is critical in preventing or catching it in the early stages  
* Colorectal cancer risk factors and prevention 
* Colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment

 

Colorectal Cancer Fast Facts  

* Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States, and in 2023, the American Cancer Society reported that 20% of colon cancer diagnoses were in patients under age 55, which is about double the rate in 1995.

* The exact cause of why colorectal cancer is rising in young adults is unknown. Obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and a long-term diet that's high in red meats have all been associated with the disease.

* The death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping for several decades. One explanation for this is that colorectal polyps are now being found more often by screening and removed before they can develop into cancers. Screening also results in many colorectal cancers being found earlier, when they are easier to treat. 

* From 2011 to 2019, incidence rates dropped by about 1% each year. However, in people younger than 50, rates have been increasing by 1% to 2% a year since the mid-1990s. A younger generation of Americans is being diagnosed with advanced stages of colorectal, rectal, and colon cancer, according to a 2022 study published in the journal Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.  
 
* The distribution of colorectal cancer is not even across U.S. subpopulations; there is a marked difference in colorectal cancer incidence, cancer stage, and cancer mortality by race and ethnicity. After Black Americans, Native Americans have the second highest colorectal cancer incidence rate at 39.3 per 100,000 people. Asian and Pacific Islanders have an incidence rate of 31.7 per 100,000 people and Hispanic people have an incidence rate of 33.5 per 100,000 people.

 

ABOUT KAISER PERMANENTE  

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, please visit: about.kaiserpermanente.org