Colon cancer used to be something you mostly heard about later in life. But the American Cancer Society reports that cases in people younger than 55 are on the rise. In a 2023 study published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, about 1 in 5 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer were under 50. That's up from just 1 in 10 in the mid-1990s.

( Know the early signs of colorectal cancer .)

The National Cancer Institute hasn't pinned down exactly why rates are climbing among younger people, but researchers believe diet, inflammation, and gut health may play a role. Diets high in processed meat and fat, and low in fruits and vegetables, are increasingly linked to colorectal cancer risk. On the flip side, one group of vegetables may help protect your gut and lower your risk.

A 2025

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