For decades, colorectal cancer (CRC) was a "gray hair" disease, almost exclusively affecting people over age 65. But in 2026, the data is undeniable: Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related death in people under age 50.
While overall cancer rates are falling in older populations due to better screening, the "whispers" of early-onset CRC are getting louder. Here is why the demographics are shifting and what signs young adults are missing.
1. The "Birth Cohort" Effect