Education gap linked to rising colorectal cancer deaths in young adults
An American Cancer Society analysis of 101,000 colorectal cancer deaths in people aged 25–49 (1994–2023) shows mortality rising among those without a bachelor’s degree while remaining flat for graduates, likely due to socioeconomic-linked risk factors such as obesity, inactivity, smoking and diet. Researchers could not determine exact causes from death certificates, but note earlier screening guidelines—lowered to age 45 in 2021—and that colorectal cancer is now the leading cancer killer for men under 50 and a top killer for women in the same age group.