The statistics don't lie: Colon cancer has risen sharply among people under age 50. In fact, the American Cancer Society reports that in those under 55, colon cancer death rates have been increasing roughly 1 percent each year since the mid-2000s. "It's currently the deadliest cancer among young men and the second deadliest among young women," adds the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

Several scientific theories explain this shift, the most widely circulated of which is that this younger generation consumed more processed foods, thereby adopting a diet higher in harmful ingredients and lower in gut-friendly fiber.

Because of the scary trend, in 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) changed its recommendations for when Americans at average risk of colon cancer should begin getting screened from age 50 to 45. And now, new research confirms that these amended guidelines are helping doctors catch colon cancer earlier.

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Colonoscopy outcomes in those 45-49 show earlier detection.

The new study, published in JAMA, analyzed colonoscopy results from 12,031 Kaiser Permanente Northern California members aged 45 to 54 who had the procedure completed between 2021 and 2024. None of the patients had a history of inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colorectal cancer, classifying them all as average-risk.

The researchers compared the results in those aged 45 to 49 to those aged 50 to 54 to gain an understanding of how the updated 2021 USPSTF guidelines have played out.

"We believed it was important to measure the real-world benefit of the new recommendations," said first author Jeffrey K. Lee, MD, MPH, a research scientist with the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research (DOR) and a gastroenterologist with The Permanente Medical Group (TPMG), in a press release.

"The findings from our study confirm that by starting colorectal cancer screening at age 45, we can identify and remove precancerous polyps, which can reduce the risk of getting colorectal cancer," he added. "We also found a small number of colorectal cancers, and these patients were able to start cancer treatment."

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Younger patients exhibited similar polyps to older patients.

To Lee's point, the researchers determined that, although the older group was slightly more likely to have a polyp detected in a colonoscopy, the types of polyps found were not significantly different between the two age groups.

A polyp is "an abnormal growth of tissue inside the colon or the rectum," explains the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. They are not always cancerous, however, there is no way to determine if a polyp will eventually develop into cancer. Therefore, the Alliance states that "it's always best to remove polyps to prevent cancer from developing."

According to the press release, the findings were as follows:

Advanced adenomas (pre-cancerous polyps with features that suggest they are more likely to become cancers) were removed in 3.8% of the younger patients and 4.1% of the older patients

Advanced serrated polyps (another type of high-risk polyp) were removed in 1.5% of the younger patients and 1.8% of the older patients

Other types of precancerous polyps were seen in 10.2% of the younger adults and in 10.4% of the older adults

Colorectal cancers were seen in 0.1% of both age groups

When should you start getting screened for colon cancer?

As stated, the current guidelines suggest that anyone at an average risk for colon cancer begin getting screened at age 45.

"Although we do not fully understand why colorectal cancer rates are increasing in young adults, it is critically important that adults 45 years of age and older get screened for colorectal cancer," said Lee.

He and his team at Kaiser Permanente offer some patients in this age range the option to complete an at-home fecal immunochemical test (FIT) in place of a traditional colonoscopy, the latter of which requires sedation and preparation that many consider unpleasant.

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance explains that a FIT test—also called an immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) or hemoccult test—"is a stool test that also detects occult (hidden) blood in the stool."

"Detecting blood in the stool is important because it can be a sign of precancerous polyps or colorectal cancer. Blood vessels on the surface of larger polyps or cancers are often fragile and may be damaged by passing stool. The damaged blood vessels usually release a small amount of blood into the stool," the Alliance continues. "This blood is often not visible to the naked eye, which is why these tests are helpful."

However, if a FIT test is positive, a colonoscopy will be required. The Alliance advises speaking with your healthcare provider to determine which type of test is appropriate.

"In addition, young adults should discuss with their doctors if they are experiencing persistent symptoms of rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, changes in their bowel habits, or unintentional weight loss, as these can be symptoms of colorectal cancer," adds Lee.