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5d ago

Gastrointestinal Cancers Are Fastest-Growing Cancer Among Adults Under 50, JAMA Review Finds

Global GI cancer incidence rose nearly 15% from 2010 to 2019, revealing critical gaps in early detection for noncolorectal tumors in younger adults.

Dr. John Gaetano performs a colonoscopy on Mike Lowe, 45, at Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital on April 18, 2025.

Overview

  • A new JAMA review establishes gastrointestinal cancers as the fastest-growing cancer type diagnosed in U.S. adults under 50.
  • Early-onset GI cases increased 14.8% worldwide between 2010 and 2019, with the steepest rises seen in the youngest age groups.
  • Colorectal cancer accounts for over half of early-onset GI cases, while pancreatic, gastric and esophageal cancers are also climbing in younger patients.
  • Most early-onset GI cancers are linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity, poor diet, inactivity, smoking or alcohol use, and 15–30% involve inherited genetic mutations.
  • Routine screening now covers colorectal cancer starting at age 45 in the U.S., but no standard tests exist for other GI cancers, leading to delayed diagnoses and worse outcomes for young adults.