Health · Medical Research · 3 hrs ago
US Colorectal Cancer Rates Rise for First Time in 20 Years
US colorectal cancer rates rose in 2023 for the first time in 20 years, according to an analysis of cancer data from 2000 to 2023.
The rate increased from 36.7 cases per 100,000 people in 2022 to 38.3 in 2023.
The increase is no longer limited to younger adults: rates rose in all age groups under 70, with the sharpest rise among people aged 45 to 49.
Rates also increased among people aged 65 to 69, while they levelled off among those aged 70 to 74.
Colorectal cancer rates had generally fallen for years even as cases among younger adults rose, making the latest overall increase a change in that pattern.
Researchers do not know what is causing the rise, but one theory is that people born during or after the 1960s may face higher risk than earlier generations did at the same age.
The findings call for more monitoring and investigation to understand the trend.
A new analysis found that colorectal cancer rates in the United States rose in 2023 for the first time in 20 years.
The rate increased to 38.3 cases per 100,000 people in 2023, from 36.7 in 2022, according to the analysis.
Rates rose among people aged 65 to 69, while they plateaued among those aged 70 to 74.
The largest increase was among people aged 45 to 49, whose rates rose about 13% per year from 2019 to 2023.
Researchers said the cause of the overall increase is unknown, though they suspect people born in the 1960s may face higher risk.
- Who
- Researchers analyzing US colorectal cancer data.
- What
- They found that the overall rate rose in 2023 for the first time in 20 years, with increases in several age groups.
- When
- The analysis covers 2000 to 2023; the increase was recorded in 2023.
- Where
- United States.
- Why
- The cause is unknown. Researchers suggested a birth cohort effect may be contributing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Colorectal cancer rates fell from roughly 55 to 36 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Daily Mail.
Rates among people aged 45 to 49 increased about 13% per year, according to the Prevention report.
The rate was 36.7 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Prevention report.
The rate rose to 38.3 cases per 100,000 people, according to the Prevention report.
- Overall rate in 2023
- 38.3 cases per 100,000 Americans
- Overall rate in 2022
- 36.7 cases per 100,000 Americans
- Largest age-group increase
- About 13% per year among people aged 45 to 49, from 2019 to 2023
- Rates among people aged 65 to 69
- Increased
- Rates among people aged 70 to 74
- Plateaued
3 sources
Colorectal Cancer Rates Are Now Rising in Every Age Group Under 70
Colon cancer rates now surging in OLDER Americans for the first time in 20 years - after explosion in under-50s cases experts warn a worrying new trend is emerging across nearly ALL age groups
Rising rates of colorectal cancer found in nearly all age groups
What people are saying
The important message is that we can no longer think about rising colorectal cancer rates as a problem limited to younger adults.
Previous gains from screening may now be offset by as yet unknown risk factors.