By: Ariella Haviv

A sweeping change in national cancer screening recommendations has coincided with a dramatic rise in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnoses among Americans in their late 40s, according to new research from the American Cancer Society (ACS). As reported by Fox News Digital on Friday, the findings suggest that earlier screening is successfully identifying more cases at a treatable stage — though experts caution that significant gaps remain in screening participation and access.

In 2018, the ACS revised its guidance to lower the recommended age for routine CRC screening in average-risk adults from 50 to 45. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) aligned with the same recommendation in 2021. The goal was to address the growing incidence of CRC among younger adults and catch cancers earlier, when treatment outcomes are most favorable.

According to the information provided in the Fox News Digital report, the shift in policy appears to be paying measurable dividends. Two large ACS studies — both published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) — found that diagnoses of early-stage CRC have risen sharply in adults aged 45 to 49 since the new guidelines took effect.

After 15 years of relatively stable detection rates, local-stage CRC cases in this age group climbed dramatically between 2019 and 2022, including a 50% relative increase from 2021 to 2022 alone. The ACS reported that colon cancer detection rose by nearly 19% per year and rectal cancer by more than 25% annually during that period.

Elizabeth Schafer, lead author of one of the studies and an associate scientist at ACS, told Fox News Digital in a press release that this “uptick in cases is likely due to first-time screening in the wake of new recommendations for younger, average-risk adults to begin testing earlier.”

While the recent surge in diagnoses among 45- to 49-year-olds appears linked to increased screening, the ACS data also confirm that CRC incidence has been climbing steadily in younger demographics for years.

From 2004 onward, cases in adults aged 20 to 39 have risen by 1.6% annually. For those aged 40 to 44 and 50 to 54, rates have increased by more than 2% annually since 2012. Among 45- to 49-year-olds, a modest 1.1% annual rise before 2019 accelerated to 12% per year after that date — an increase the ACS attributes largely to proactive testing.

However, the studies also revealed troubling patterns in advanced-stage disease. According to the information contained in the Fox News Digital report, cases of metastatic CRC have increased from 1.7% to 2.9% annually since 2004 among adults under 45, with even sharper growth in the 45–54 age group over the past decade.

The second ACS study, also published in JAMA, focused on national screening rates among adults aged 45 to 49. Researchers analyzed data from more than 50,000 individuals, finding that CRC screening rates jumped 62% from 2019 to 2023.

In 2021, only 20% of adults in this group had been screened for CRC. By 2023, that figure had climbed to 37%, with colonoscopy use rising by 43% and stool-based testing increasing more than fivefold compared to 2019.

Jessica Star, lead author of the screening study and an associate scientist at ACS in Atlanta, told Fox News Digital that she found it “thrilling” to see such a steep increase. Still, she cautioned that participation is “suboptimal” and remains uneven across socioeconomic lines. Screening rates have not risen equitably by educational attainment or insurance coverage, indicating that significant barriers persist for many Americans.

Outside experts interviewed by Fox News Digital stressed the life-saving potential of earlier diagnosis, while underscoring that screening expansion is only one piece of the solution.

Dr. Paul E. Oberstein, medical oncologist and assistant director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at NYU Langone Perlmutter Cancer Center, called the rise in early-stage diagnoses “a success” for public health. “Detecting more cancers at an early stage, where the chance of cure is very high, ultimately should mean that fewer people are diagnosed later in life and fewer people have advanced colon cancer,” he told the outlet.

However, Oberstein noted that the absolute rate of CRC in those under 45 remains substantially lower, leaving open the question of whether universal screening before age 45 is warranted. He suggested that earlier testing may be most beneficial for individuals with a family history of CRC or other personal risk factors.

Dr. Craig Eagle, chief medical officer of Guardant Health in California, also spoke to Fox News Digital about the importance of catching cancer before symptoms appear. He cited ACS data showing that the five-year survival rate for CRC exceeds 90% when diagnosed early, but falls to just 13% in late-stage disease.

“The rise in diagnoses for those in their 40s is an alarming reminder that screening must be easier and more accessible to reach the 50 million Americans who remain unscreened,” Eagle said.

Both ACS researchers and independent specialists emphasized that increased early detection is not the same as reducing overall disease incidence. The reasons behind the rising rates of CRC in younger populations remain poorly understood.

As Fox News Digital reported, potential contributors under investigation include dietary patterns, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, microbiome changes, and environmental exposures. Researchers are also examining whether there are as-yet unidentified genetic or biological factors accelerating tumor development in younger adults.

The ACS findings, while encouraging in their demonstration of screening’s impact, highlight a broader dual challenge: ensuring that more people in the 45–49 range (and high-risk individuals under 45) are screened, while also investing in research to understand — and ultimately reverse — the upward trend in cases.

For individuals, the message from experts remains clear. As Oberstein told Fox News Digital, anyone experiencing symptoms such as persistent changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss should consult a healthcare provider promptly, regardless of age.

For policymakers and public health leaders, the studies underscore the need for continued awareness campaigns, expanded insurance coverage for CRC screening at age 45, and targeted outreach to underserved communities.

As Eagle observed, ensuring access to affordable and convenient screening options — whether through colonoscopy, stool-based tests, or emerging blood-based assays — could be key to preventing thousands of premature deaths each year.

The ACS researchers intend to continue monitoring national CRC trends to evaluate the long-term effects of the updated screening guidelines. If early detection continues to rise and is accompanied by a plateau or decline in advanced-stage disease, the strategy may serve as a model for other cancer types where earlier screening could yield similar benefits.

For now, the Fox News Digital report noted that the data offer both reassurance and urgency: reassurance that earlier screening is working as intended, and urgency to expand its reach before more young Americans are diagnosed at a stage when treatment options are limited.

In Schafer’s words, “We still have a long way to go.”