The concerning rise in rates of bowel cancer in young people

The tragic passing of Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek on February 11, 2026, has refocused attention on colorectal cancer. Long thought to be a disease that affects the elderly, Van Der Beek’s passing has raised questions about how susceptible young people today are to the risks of colorectal cancer.

Here’s what everyone should know.

Catching something early might help you avoid serious health issues down the road.

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is a general term describing cancers of the colon and rectum, which make up part of the large intestine. Individual cancers are treated differently. Cancers can appear in both the colon or the rectum, or both.

Are more young people getting colorectal cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, rates for colorectal cancer for under 50s have increased by about 3% annually since 2010.  Colorectal cancer death rates have also increased by 1% annually in under 50s since 2005.

Rates of early-onset colorectal cancer are expected to increase in the next decade. Since 2024, Better2Know has seen a 200% increase in all at-home cancer testing requests, reflecting a growing concern about people’s long-term susceptibility to cancer.

The cause of this rise in colorectal cancer rates is still unknown. But researchers have some theories…

What increases my risk?

There are a lot of factors that correlate with colorectal cancer, many of which are in our control.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can increase your risk of developing a host of cancers, including colorectal cancer. Alcohol consumption can lead to tumour formation by causing mutations that disrupt normal cell reproduction.

Diet

Eating a lot of red meat, processed meats, and not eating enough dietary fibre can increase your cancer risk.

Other dietary risk factors can include:

• Having low levels of vitamin D
• Cooking meats at high temperatures (frying, boiling, and grilling)
• Not eating enough fruits and vegetables
• Not maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, which can lead to inflammation

Smoking

A 2025 editorial in BMJ Oncology states that epidemiological evidence supports a link between cigarette smoking and an increased risk of colorectal cancer, and this risk rises in a dose‑dependent manner (the more you smoke, the higher the risk). Smoking also increases your risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer.

Obesity

Obesity significantly increases the risk of colorectal cancer, contributes to a large number of CRC deaths globally, and is part of the cluster of lifestyle factors driving rising CRC rates in younger adults.

Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes mellitus are more likely to develop colorectal cancer, perhaps connected to high levels of insulin.

Genetics

You’re more likely to get colorectal cancer if you:

• Are male
• Have had a cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder)
• Have a history of colorectal polyps
• Have a history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Have a family history of colorectal cancer
• Have an inherited syndrome like Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis

What’s the survival rate?

Finding cancer at an early age can lead to five-year survival rates as high as 80% to 90%. When cancer is detected at an advanced stage, where it has spread to other parts of the body, survival rates are much lower.

What are the early symptoms?

The telltale signs of colorectal cancer are easy to recognise:

• Blood in the stool
• Abdominal pain
• Change in bowel habits (extended periods of constipation or diarrhoea)
• Sudden weight loss
• Unexplained anaemia
• Low red blood cell count

Having any one of these symptoms may not mean you have colorectal cancer. If you have any concerns about your cancer risk, you should seek testing and medical help.

How do I get screened for colorectal cancer?

You can get tested for bowel cancer with a convenient at-home test, or with a test available through a health clinic near you.

Most tests for colorectal cancer involve a stool sample, which is tested for occult blood that may indicate the presence of cancer.

How do I reduce my risk of getting colon cancer?

While you’re figuring out if you have colorectal cancer, you can improve your chances of preventing it in the future with some simple lifestyle changes, including:

• Cut down on alcohol: There’s no safe amount of alcohol, so reducing your consumption to as little as possible will help improve your health.
• Not eating red meat and processed meats: Eating large amounts of red and processed meats will significantly reduce your risk of developing all sorts of cancers.
• Get lots of exercise: Getting regular exercise will improve your all-cause mortality rate. Improving your fitness and developing more muscle mass will help control your insulin levels, which will help reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Eat fruits, vegetables, and other foods high in fibre: Fill your diet with lots of whole grains, fibrous and leafy vegetables, seeds, pulses, beans, and a variety of fruits will give you the fibre you need to keep colorectal cancer at bay.

Final thoughts

Most cancers can be treated if they’re caught early. But that means taking action as soon as you suspect something’s amiss. Get in touch with Better2Know to secure a bowel cancer test today.

Protect your health.

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