Colorectal Cancer Rates Rising in Younger Adults, New Report Finds

ATLANTA, March 2, 2026 – Colorectal cancer rates in the United States are diverging, with declines observed in older adults but a concerning rise in individuals under 65, particularly younger adults, according to a new report released today by the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Shifting Trends in Colorectal Cancer Incidence

The triennial report, Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2026, reveals that the increase is largely driven by cancers in the distal colon, and rectum. Rectal cancer now comprises nearly one-third (32%, up from 27% in the mid-2000s) of all colorectal cancer diagnoses. The findings are published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, the flagship journal of the ACS.

“After decades of progress, the risk of dying from colorectal cancer is climbing in younger generations of men and women, confirming a real uptick in disease,” said Rebecca Siegel, senior scientific director, surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report. “We demand to redouble research efforts to understand the cause but also circumvent deaths through earlier detection by educating clinicians and the general public about symptoms and increasing screening in people 45-54 years.”

Key Statistics and Projections for 2026

Colorectal cancer remains the third most common cancer in both men and women in the U.S. And the second leading cause of cancer-related death. Notably, for adults under 50, it is now the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. In 2026, an estimated 158,850 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed, and 55,230 people will die from the disease, including approximately 200 diagnoses each day in individuals younger than 65. The report draws on the latest data from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program and the National Program of Cancer Registries at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Risk Factors, Screening, and Prevention

Researchers indicate that over half of colorectal cancers are linked to modifiable risk factors – including smoking, an unhealthy diet, high alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and excess body weight – making them potentially preventable. Appropriate screening and access to high-quality treatment are also crucial for prevention. Half of those diagnosed before age 50 are between 45 and 49 years traditional and are eligible for screening, yet screening prevalence in this age group is only 37%. Three out of four colorectal cancers in adults younger than 50 are diagnosed at an advanced stage (regional or distant), while the 5-year survival rate for local-stage disease is 95%.

“These findings further underscore that colorectal cancer is worsening among younger generations and highlight the immediate need for eligible adults to begin screening at the recommended age of 45,” said Dr. William Dahut, chief scientific officer at the American Cancer Society. “The report also shines a light on the crucial importance of continued funding for research to help discover new therapies to treat the disease and advance patient care.”

Research Highlights

• In 2026, an estimated 158,850 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed, and 55,230 people will die from the disease in the U.S.
• Colorectal cancer incidence is rising in adults under 65 (by 3% per year in ages 20–49 and 0.4% per year in ages 50–64), driven by cancer occurrence in the distal colon and rectum.
• Nearly half (45%) of new colorectal cancer cases are now occurring in adults under 65, up from 27% in 1995.
• Three in 4 colorectal cancers in adults younger than 50 years are advanced stage at diagnosis, and a little more than 1 in 4 (27%) are distant stage.
• Half of colorectal cancer diagnoses under age 50 are in people 45-49 years who are eligible for screening.
• Colorectal cancer mortality rates increased by 1% per year in both adults under 50 (since 2004) and in adults aged 50-64 (since 2019).
• Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality continue to decrease in adults 65 and older by more than 2% per year.
• Rectal cancer incidence increased in all ages combined by 1% per year from 2018 to 2022, reversing decades of decline.
• Rectal cancer now accounts for about one-third (32%) of colorectal cancer diagnoses, up from one-fourth (27%) in the mid-2000s.

Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality

Significant disparities exist among racial and ethnic groups. Alaska Native people have the highest colorectal cancer incidence (80.9 per 100,000) and mortality (31.5 per 100,000) in the U.S., more than double that of White people, with American Indian people experiencing the second-highest burden.

“Alaska Native people persistently experience a higher incidence and mortality rates than other racial and ethnic groups for colorectal cancer, with the American Indian population a close second,” said Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, senior vice president, surveillance, prevention, and health services research at the American Cancer Society and senior author of the study. “We need to reduce these cancer disparities by investing in cancer research specific to this population and improving access to screening, to save more lives.”

Additional Resources: American Cancer Society