Why More People in Their 30s Are Suddenly Getting Colon Cancer

A Swiss nationwide study found colorectal cancer diagnoses are rising in adults under 50, with some of the sharpest increases in people in their 30s.

Researchers analyzed 96,410 cases from 1980 to 2021 and found incidence in younger adults rose about 0.5% per year.

The increase was driven mainly by rectal cancers and right-sided colon cancers in young women, and younger patients were more often diagnosed at metastatic stage.

By contrast, colorectal cancer rates continued to decline among adults aged 50-74, likely reflecting the impact of screening.