A troubling pattern has emerged in colon cancer deaths among younger Americans, with new research showing the increase is heavily concentrated among individuals who didn’t complete a four-year college education.
The study, published Thursday in JAMA Oncology, marks the first national research to identify which groups are most impacted by the concerning uptick in colorectal cancer fatalities among young adults. High-profile cases like actor Chadwick Boseman’s death in 2020 and James Van Der Beek’s recent diagnosis have brought attention to this growing health crisis.
Researchers from the American Cancer Society analyzed government records of more than 101,000 adults between ages 25 and 49 who succumbed to colorectal cancer between 1994 and 2023. Their findings revealed that virtually all increases in young adult deaths from this disease occurred among people lacking bachelor’s degrees.
The data shows colorectal cancer death rates in this age group climbed from approximately 3 per 100,000 to about 4 per 100,000 over the study period. However, among those with only high school education, rates jumped from 4 to 5.2 per 100,000, while rates for college graduates remained steady at 2.7 per 100,000.
Education level itself doesn’t determine cancer risk, but serves as an indicator of broader socioeconomic challenges. Individuals without degrees typically face lower incomes, limited access to healthcare, poor nutrition, and reduced physical activity levels.
Dr. Paolo Boffetta from Stony Brook Cancer Center in New York, who wasn’t part of the research team, noted the significance of the findings. “It’s not totally unexpected that the death risk is concentrated in the less advantaged, but the paper published Thursday in JAMA Oncology is the first national study to actually show the connection,” Boffetta said.
Lead researcher Ahmedin Jemal emphasized that these results highlight the importance of public education about colorectal cancer and adherence to screening guidelines for younger adults. Warning signs include bloody stools, persistent changes in bowel movements, unexplained weight loss, and ongoing abdominal discomfort.
The American Cancer Society projects over 158,000 new colorectal cancer diagnoses nationwide this year. As the country’s second-deadliest cancer after lung cancer, it’s anticipated to cause more than 55,000 deaths in 2026.
While deaths among adults under 50 represent roughly 7% of total colorectal cancer fatalities—approximately 3,900 cases—this demographic now faces the highest cancer mortality rate in their age group. Since 2005, colorectal cancer deaths in Americans under 50 have increased by 1.1% annually.
The underlying causes of this increase remain unclear to scientists. Known risk factors include excess weight, sedentary lifestyle, diets heavy in red and processed meats but low in produce, and family cancer history. In response to rising cases, the American Cancer Society updated its screening recommendations in 2021, lowering the suggested starting age from 50 to 45.
Researchers focused on education levels because death certificates routinely record educational attainment but lack details about income or other lifestyle factors. Previous studies have shown education data often correlates with information about earnings, insurance coverage, exercise habits, and chronic health conditions.
“The focus on education is really (due to) something which was available in the data,” Boffetta observed.
