Title: Rising Rectal Cancer Deaths in Adults Under 50: A Growing Threat Accelerating Faster Than Colon Cancer, Experts Warn

Rectal cancer is rising among younger adults at an alarming pace, with mortality rates increasing nearly twice as fast as those for colon cancer in the same age group, according to research set to be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2026.

In adults aged 35 to 44, rectal cancer deaths are climbing by almost 2 percent per year, whereas colon cancer deaths in this demographic rise by about half a percent annually, said Mythili Menon Pathiyil, MBBS, a gastroenterology fellow at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, who led the study. The findings, based on an analysis of U.S. Death records from 1999 to 2023 using a machine learning model, suggest this trend will continue through 2035.

Although colorectal cancer has long been considered a disease of older adults, one in five new cases now occurs in people under 55. The rectum, located closer to the body’s exterior than the colon, may produce symptoms earlier—such as rectal bleeding or changes in bowel habits—but these are often dismissed as hemorrhoids or stress, delaying diagnosis until the disease has advanced.

Symptoms of rectal cancer include persistent changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain or cramps, and fatigue. Unlike colon cancer, which may cause dark or tarry stools due to blood mixing with feces, rectal bleeding often appears as bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet because the blood has less time to mix with stool before expulsion.

Treatment approaches differ between the two cancers: rectal cancer that has invaded the muscle layer of the bowel wall or reached nearby lymph nodes typically begins with radiation and chemotherapy, followed by surgery if needed. In contrast, most colon cancers are treated first with surgery, then chemotherapy if lymph nodes are involved. For metastatic disease in either cancer, chemotherapy is usually the initial treatment.

Experts note that while the exact causes of the rise in early-onset rectal cancer remain under investigation, factors such as diet, obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco, and alcohol use are known to increase risk for both colon and rectal cancers. Researchers suspect chronic exposure to dietary elements that promote inflammation or disrupt the gut microbiome may play a role, though more study is needed.

Screening remains a critical tool for early detection. The American Cancer Society recommends regular screening for average-risk individuals starting at age 45, though those with increased risk—such as a family history of colorectal cancer, inherited genetic syndromes, or inflammatory bowel disease—should consult their doctor about earlier screening. Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard, as it examines the entire colon and rectum, though flexible sigmoidoscopy may also help detect rectal cancers in some cases.

As the medical community prepares to discuss these findings at Digestive Disease Week 2026 in Chicago from May 2 to 5, clinicians urge younger adults not to overlook persistent gastrointestinal symptoms. “Just being aware that mortality rates are increasing in this age group may encourage young adults to not brush off symptoms without being evaluated by a healthcare professional,” said Pathiyil.

The research will be presented at the upcoming Digestive Disease Week conference, the premier global gathering for gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery professionals, held annually to advance digestive health through education, innovation, and collaboration.

For more information on colorectal cancer prevention, screening guidelines, and symptoms, individuals are encouraged to consult trusted sources such as the American Cancer Society or speak with their healthcare provider.

Stay informed and share this information to help raise awareness about the growing risk of rectal cancer in younger adults.