CRC Rates Rising in Under-50s, Early Detection Stressed

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common cancer globally and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, with more than 1.9 million new cases reported in the past year. While incidence and mortality have declined among older adults thanks to improved screening and therapies, CRC rates are increasing in adults under 50, lowering the worldwide median age at diagnosis. Studies show that survival is highest when CRC is diagnosed as the first primary malignancy, likely due to better medical surveillance and earlier detection, whereas those diagnosed after another cancer face poorer outcomes. Experimental multi-cancer early detection (MCED) blood tests can identify tumor-derived mutations up to three years before clinical diagnosis, raising hope for even earlier intervention. Experts now stress the importance of tailored screening strategies and ongoing surveillance, especially for high-risk individuals and those with previous cancer diagnoses, to further improve CRC detection and survival rates.