Colorectal cancer surge linked to screening uptake: 5 study notes

A surge of local- or early-stage colorectal cancer diagnoses in adults ages under 50 is likely tied to increased screening uptake after the American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lowered their recommended screening ages from 50 to 45 in 2018 and 2021, respectively. 

Research from two American Cancer Society studies published Aug. 4 in JAMA highlight the increase in colorectal cancer screening and diagnoses.

Here are five notes from the studies:

1. Local or early-stage diagnosis means the cancer has stayed confined to its original site and typically has no symptoms, according to an Aug. 4 news release from the American Cancer Society.
   
   
2. For one study, researchers analyzed colorectal cancer diagnoses between 2004 to 2022 among adults 20-54 years old from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program.
   
   For the second study, researchers analyzed National Health Interview Survey data of more than 50,000 individuals to compare changes in colorectal cancer screening between 2019 and 2023 across age groups.
   
   
3. Colorectal cancer diagnoses have increased 1.6% annually in adults ages 20-39 since 2004, and by 2% to 2.6% annually in adults ages 40-44 and 50-54 since 2019.
   
   Diagnoses among adults ages 45-49 increased 1.1% annually between 2004 and 2019, then rose to 12% annually between 2019 and 2022.
   
   Local or early-stage colon and rectal cancer diagnoses increased 18.8% and 25.1% per year, respectively, between 2019 and 2022.
   

4. Colorectal cancer screening among adults ages 45-49 increased 62% between 2019 and 2023.
   
   Colonoscopy screening increased by 43% and stool-based testing increased more than fivefold among adults ages 45-49 between 2019 and 2023.
   
   Screening increased across every racial and ethnic group, but remained unchanged among individuals with less than a high school education or were uninsured.
   
   
5. “These studies further demonstrate the importance of people having access to comprehensive health insurance, which covers evidence-based preventive services,” Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, said in the release. “With more than 2 million people in America expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2025, it’s more important than ever to make sure that everyone can access necessary screenings.”
   

Read each study here and here.