April 6, 2026- Colorectal cancer has become the top cause of cancer death for Americans under 50, even as deaths from lung, breast and other cancers decline, raising the stakes for screening, advocacy and health equity.
A new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveals that cancer mortality among Americans under age 50 has dropped sharply overall, but one disease bucks the trend.
According to research published Jan. 22 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the U.S. cancer death rate for people younger than 50 fell by 44% from 25.5 per 100,000 in 1990 to 14.2 per 100,000 in 2023 – largely due to significant decreases in deaths from lung, breast, brain cancers, and leukemia.
However, colorectal cancer was the lone exception, rising steadily and becoming the leading cause of cancer death in this age group in 2023 after increasing 1.1% per year since 2005.
Continue Reading in the latest issue of Repertoire Magazine.