Overview
- An American Cancer Society analysis published in JAMA shows colorectal cancer reached No. 1 in 2023 for under‑50 cancer deaths, based on national data from roughly 1.2–1.3 million deaths from 1990–2023.
- Researchers report colorectal cancer mortality has risen about 1.1% annually since 2005, overtaking other cancers even as most have seen steady declines.
- Overall cancer mortality in people under 50 fell 44% since 1990, with recent annual declines for lung (5.7%), leukemia (2.3%), breast (1.4%) and brain (0.3%) cancers.
- The milestone arrived earlier than expected, with colorectal cancer becoming the top cause seven years ahead of projections that had pointed to 2030.
- Experts warn that about three in four younger patients are diagnosed at advanced stages and urge symptom awareness, destigmatization and adherence to screening guidance starting at age 45, with earlier testing for those at higher risk.