Younger adult colon cancer deaths are concentrated in people with less education, study says
Summary
A new study found that the increase in colorectal cancer deaths among younger adults is mainly happening in people without a four-year college degree. This suggests that social and economic factors like income, diet, and access to health care may influence this rise.Key Facts
- The study looked at data from over 101,000 adults ages 25 to 49 who died of colorectal cancer between 1994 and 2023.
- Colorectal cancer death rates in younger adults rose from about 3 to 4 per 100,000 overall.
- For people with only a high school education, death rates increased from 4 to 5.2 per 100,000.
- Death rates for people with a bachelor’s degree or higher stayed about the same at 2.7 per 100,000.
- Less education is linked to factors like lower income, poorer diets, less exercise, and less medical care.
- Symptoms of colorectal cancer include blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, weight loss, and abdominal pain.
- The American Cancer Society now recommends adults start colorectal cancer screening at age 45 instead of 50.
- Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and is rising as the deadliest cancer in people under 50.
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