More Young People Affected by Colorectal Cancer – Doctors Want to Classify the Disease as a New Diagnosis

Doctors in Australia are warning of a sharp increase in colorectal cancer among younger adults and claim that the early-onset form of the disease now differs so significantly from traditional colorectal cancer that it should be considered a separate illness. At the same time, researchers still lack a clear answer as to why this development is occurring.

According to Australian experts, about 1,880 people under the age of 50 are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, equivalent to about five people per day. Colorectal cancer is now the deadliest cancer form for Australians between the ages of 25 and 54.

Medical experts believe that early-onset colorectal cancer not only affects younger people—it also appears to behave differently than the classical disease in older patients.

Dr Prasad Cooray, spokesperson for Bowel Cancer Australia, therefore believes that healthcare should begin treating it as a separate disease with its own guidelines for research, diagnostics, and treatment. He argues that today’s care models are mainly adapted for older patients and do not consider the specific needs of younger individuals affected.

Sharp Increase Among Younger Generations

This development is concerning researchers internationally as well. Statistics show that people born in the 1990s have a two to three times higher risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer than those born in the 1950s. Meanwhile, the incidence among older people is decreasing, partly thanks to extensive screening programs.

A new international study also shows that the incidence of early colorectal cancer has increased by an average of 3.7 percent per year over the past decade in four countries compared. For people between 20 and 39 years of age, the increase is about seven percent per year.

Cause Still Unknown

Researchers have not yet been able to determine why more young people are getting sick. Several theories are being studied, including changes in dietary habits, increased consumption of ultra-processed food, obesity, changes in gut flora, environmental factors, and various chemicals.

Another new study suggests that younger generations may be experiencing accelerated biological aging, which could contribute to the increased cancer risk. However, no single explanation has yet been proven.

Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored

Doctors emphasize that younger people often seek medical help late because both patients and healthcare professionals still associate colorectal cancer with old age. This means that many are diagnosed only once the disease has reached an advanced stage.

Common warning signs include:

blood in the stool
changes in bowel habits
persistent abdominal pain
unexplained weight loss
prolonged fatigue

Experts therefore urge younger people not to dismiss such symptoms but to seek medical care at an early stage.