Cancer: the story explained

Rates of rectal cancer deaths are rising in adults under 50. Cancer has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Singapore.

Key facts

• Rates of rectal cancer deaths are rising in adults under 50.
• The untimely deaths of actors Chadwick Boseman and James Van Der Beek, who both died of colorectal cancer in their 40s, have brought more awareness to the disease, which is impacting younger people at higher rates each year.
• “The rise in colorectal cancer in younger people started sometime between probably 1950 and 1990... and [rates have] been increasing at a greater rate since,” Foote said.
• Colorectal cancer, which is the group name for colon and rectal cancer, is the leading cause of cancer deaths in adults under 50, and new research has found that rectal cancer deaths specifically are rising in adults in this age group — namely, millennials.
• According to NBC’s reporting, rectal cancer will be the top cause of cancer deaths in people under 50 by 2035 if the trend continues.

What we know

Going deeper, the untimely deaths of actors Chadwick Boseman and James Van Der Beek, who both died of colorectal cancer in their 40s, have brought more awareness to the disease, which is impacting younger people at higher rates each year.

On the substance, Colorectal cancer, which is the group name for colon and rectal cancer, is the leading cause of cancer deaths in adults under 50, and new research has found that rectal cancer deaths specifically are rising in adults in this age group — namely, millennials.

Beyond the headlines, According to NBC’s reporting, rectal cancer will be the top cause of cancer deaths in people under 50 by 2035 if the trend continues.

More precisely, Rectal cancer rates are currently rising in younger adults in their 30s and 40s.

It is worth noting that Recent research published by the American Cancer Society shows that while colorectal cancer rates are declining in people 65 and older, rates are increasing in younger adults.

By the numbers

“The rise in colorectal cancer in younger people started sometime between probably 1950 and 1990... and [rates have] been increasing at a greater rate since,” Foote said.

On a related note, such that it is unfortunately becoming common to diagnose cancers in individuals under the age of 50.”

Going deeper, the rate of rectal cancer in people born in 2001 (Gen Z) is higher than for millennials born in 1991, which is, in turn, higher than for the oldest millennials, born in 1981.

On the substance, Research shows that the rates of colorectal cancer in adults under 50 has increased by 63% since 1988, according to Foote.

What they're saying

“We know that young people getting cancer, most of it’s on either the left side of the colon or especially in the rectum,” Foote said.

“Even in a recent report at a conference that looked at rates of colorectal cancer in teenagers ― very young individuals ― while the absolute numbers are quite low, the rate of rise is just remarkable,” Roper said.

“People are trying to avoid plastic containers more — I think that’s not such a bad idea,” Foot said, who added the caveat that data linking microplastics to colorectal cancer is not as clear.

The wider context

On a related note, Eight out of 100,000 adults under 50 had colorectal cancer in 1988, and now that number is 13 out of 100,000.

Going deeper, those with a first-degree family history of colon or rectal cancer (a parent or sibling who had it) may be eligible to get a screening test before 45.

On the substance, Unlike many cancers, colorectal cancer has become more lethal for people at younger ages.

Beyond the headlines, YUKI NOGUCHI, BYLINE: Like so many in her field, Ohio State University oncologist Ning Jin is alarmed by the number of patients in their 30s and 40s with late-stage cancer in their lower digestive tract.

More precisely, Thirty-plus years ago when I first started, no one, no one, zero number of patients were in my clinic under the age of 50 with colon cancer.

The bottom line

• The untimely deaths of actors Chadwick Boseman and James Van Der Beek, who both died of colorectal cancer in their 40s, have brought more awareness to the disease, which is impacting younger people at higher rates each year.
• Such that it is unfortunately becoming common to diagnose cancers in individuals under the age of 50.”
• The rate of rectal cancer in people born in 2001 (Gen Z) is higher than for millennials born in 1991, which is, in turn, higher than for the oldest millennials, born in 1981.
• Searches spiking right now: AstraZeneca stock falls after FDA panel votes against new cancer drug, 11 cancers on the rise in young people - scientists find first clue why it's happening, The Canadian Cancer Society's 2026 Montreal Daffodil Ball raises $3,175,000 for cancer research in Quebec, Doctors warn of hidden cancer risks, but urge caution over excessive or unproven tests.