Colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among adults under age 50 in the United States, surpassing other major malignancies as overall cancer mortality in this age group continues to decline sharply, according to recent analyses from the American Cancer Society and published research.

A study released January 22, 2026, in the Journal of the American Medical Association examined U.S. cancer death trends from 1990 through 2023 for the five leading causes in people younger than 50. Researchers found that total cancer deaths in this demographic dropped 44 percent over the period, from 25.5 per 100,000 people in 1990 to 14.2 in 2023. Declines occurred in four of the top five causes — brain cancer (0.3 percent annual drop from 2014-2023), breast cancer (1.4 percent), leukemia (2.3 percent) and lung cancer (5.7 percent) — reflecting advances in prevention, early detection and treatment.

Colorectal cancer stood alone as an outlier. Mortality rose by an average of 1.1 percent annually since 2005, propelling it from the fifth-leading cause in the early 1990s to the top spot by 2023 — seven years earlier than some projections had anticipated. The disease now ranks first overall for cancer deaths under 50, second for women (behind breast cancer) and first for men.

“Overall progress against cancer in young adults has been remarkable, but colorectal cancer is moving in the wrong direction,” said Rebecca L. Siegel, senior scientific director of surveillance research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the JAMA research letter. “This confirms a real increase in underlying risk for generations born after about 1950.”

The American Cancer Society’s “Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2026” report, published in March, reinforced the trend. It projected 158,850 new colorectal cancer cases and 55,230 deaths nationwide this year, with incidence rising 3 percent annually in adults aged 20-49 and 0.4 percent in those 50-64, while falling 2.5 percent in those 65 and older. Mortality has climbed 1 percent per year since 2004 in those under 50 and since 2019 in the 50-64 group.

The shift is driven largely by tumors in the distal colon and rectum. About one in five diagnoses now occurs in people under 55, up from far lower proportions decades ago. Younger patients are more likely to present with advanced-stage disease, contributing to poorer outcomes.

Experts attribute the rise to a mix of factors, though no single cause has been pinpointed. Potential contributors include changes in diet (higher processed foods, red meat and low fiber), sedentary lifestyles, obesity, diabetes, antibiotic use altering gut microbiomes and environmental exposures. Unlike older adults, where screening has driven steep declines, many under 50 lack routine checks, delaying diagnosis until symptoms like bleeding, pain or bowel changes appear — often dismissed as benign issues in younger people.

In response, major guidelines now recommend colorectal cancer screening starting at age 45 for average-risk adults, down from 50. Options include colonoscopy every 10 years, annual fecal immunochemical tests or stool DNA tests every three years. Uptake of non-invasive stool tests has risen, helping offset pandemic-related drops in colonoscopies.

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance called the findings a wake-up call, urging greater awareness, symptom education and involvement in research initiatives like Project Cure CRC to accelerate treatments.

Despite the alarming trend in young adults, overall U.S. colorectal cancer mortality has fallen 56 percent since 1970 due to screening, reduced smoking and better therapies. Yet progress has slowed recently, with rates stable from 2020-2023 after earlier annual declines of about 2 percent.

Advocates stress that many deaths could be prevented through earlier detection. Symptoms in younger people — persistent abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel habits or rectal bleeding — warrant prompt medical attention, even if uncommon for the age group.

Ongoing research explores why incidence surges in post-1950 birth cohorts, with calls for more etiologic studies into modern lifestyle and environmental factors. As these generations age, the burden may grow without intervention.

Health organizations emphasize equity: screening gaps persist in underserved communities, where stool-based tests show promise for accessibility and cost.

The data highlight a paradox — broad success against cancer in young adults overshadowed by one disease’s relentless rise. Experts urge clinicians to consider colorectal cancer in symptomatic patients under 50 and public campaigns to normalize screening discussions.

With March designated Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, groups promote blue-ribbon campaigns to boost awareness and early action.

As the trend persists into 2026, the message remains clear: colorectal cancer is no longer just an older person’s disease. Vigilance, lifestyle changes and timely screening offer the best defense against what has become the top cancer killer for Americans in their prime working and family years.

A resurgence in inflation, even one that is very modest compared to what we saw during the Ukraine, war risks hitting spending, growth and pushing up unemployment further – especially so if greater price pressures derail the chances of further interest rate cuts.

This article was written by

Follow

Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

The UK government has unveiled a new online tool designed to help households and businesses track the rollout of gigabit-capable broadband across the country, offering greater transparency over when faster connectivity will reach local communities.

The new address checker allows users to enter their postcode and see whether their property is scheduled to receive an upgrade through the government’s Project Gigabit programme or through separate commercial full-fibre deployments. Officials say the tool is intended to provide rural communities and businesses with clearer visibility of broadband infrastructure plans, particularly in areas where connectivity improvements have historically been slow.

The launch forms part of the government’s wider effort to accelerate the delivery of high-speed broadband across the UK, with particular emphasis on rural and hard-to-reach regions that have traditionally struggled with poor digital infrastructure.

According to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, more than 750 homes and businesses are now gaining access to gigabit-capable broadband every day through Project Gigabit. The programme is designed to deliver full-fibre connectivity to areas that are unlikely to be served by commercial investment alone.

Officials estimate that more than one million additional premises will benefit from live government contracts currently being rolled out across rural England and Wales. These include major infrastructure agreements with broadband providers aimed at expanding fibre networks into remote towns, villages and agricultural communities.

The government argues that improving digital connectivity is critical to supporting economic development outside major cities. Faster broadband access is expected to enable remote working, improve access to digital public services and strengthen sectors such as agriculture, tourism and rural small businesses.

However, campaigners warn that improving infrastructure alone will not eliminate the UK’s digital divide.

Elizabeth Anderson, chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said that while expanding gigabit broadband coverage is an important milestone, affordability remains a major barrier for millions of people.

“The continued rollout of gigabit-capable broadband and improved mobile coverage in rural communities is a welcome step towards closing long-standing connectivity gaps across the UK,” she said.

“However, infrastructure alone will not solve digital poverty. Around 19 million people in the UK experience some form of digital exclusion, and government figures show that around 1.6 million people are still living entirely offline.”

She added that the cost of broadband services and suitable devices continues to prevent many households from accessing digital services.

“We estimate around two million people lack connectivity because of affordability, and gigabit broadband is frequently out of reach due to higher costs,” Anderson said.

“While faster networks are important, they only make a difference if people can afford to use them. Connectivity must be not only available, but affordable and accessible for everyone.”

Alongside fibre expansion, the government is also investing in improved mobile connectivity through the Shared Rural Network, a joint initiative between government and the UK’s major mobile network operators.

The programme aims to extend 4G coverage into rural “not-spots”, areas where reliable mobile signals have historically been unavailable. Recent upgrades have already expanded coverage significantly across parts of the UK countryside.

Industry leaders say these improvements are essential as demand for digital services continues to grow rapidly across both consumer and business sectors.

Jennifer Holmes, chief executive of the London Internet Exchange (LINX), said the continued expansion of gigabit broadband and mobile coverage represents a key step in strengthening the UK’s digital infrastructure.

“As demand for online services continues to grow, the networks that underpin the internet must be resilient, efficient and capable of supporting increasing volumes of data,” she said.

“Strong infrastructure is essential not only for everyday connectivity, but also for supporting innovation, economic growth and the UK’s wider digital ambitions.”

Holmes added that modern digital networks now underpin almost every part of the economy, from cloud computing and artificial intelligence to e-commerce and public services.

“Investment in faster and more reliable connectivity will help ensure that businesses, public services and communities can fully participate in an increasingly digital economy,” she said.

The new postcode tool is intended to give consumers and businesses clearer information about when gigabit broadband will reach their homes or workplaces, particularly in areas where rollout timelines have previously been unclear.

By providing greater transparency over rollout plans, ministers hope the tool will help local communities better plan for the future and encourage businesses to invest in rural areas with improved connectivity.

Project Gigabit remains one of the UK government’s flagship infrastructure initiatives, aimed at ensuring that the vast majority of UK premises have access to gigabit-capable broadband by the end of the decade.

But as rollout accelerates, policymakers and campaigners alike warn that bridging the digital divide will require more than infrastructure alone. Ensuring that connectivity is affordable, accessible and supported by digital skills programmes will be crucial if the benefits of the UK’s digital transformation are to be shared across every community.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.