College Degree Linked to Rising Colon Cancer Deaths in Young Adults

The number of young adults dying from colon cancer is climbing, but the trend hits those without a college education harder than those with degrees. A new study in JAMA Oncology examined over 101, 000 deaths of people aged 25 to 49 between 1994 and 2023. Overall, deaths went from about three per 100, 000 people to four per 100, 000. However, the jump was steeper for individuals with only a high school diploma: rates rose from four to 5. 2 per 100, 000. Those with a bachelor’s degree saw little change, staying around 2. 7 per 100, 000. Experts say education itself is not the direct cause; it often signals other issues such as lower income, limited health care access, poorer diets, and less chance for regular exercise.

Colon cancer ranks second only to lung cancer as a cause of death in the United States, with an expected 158, 000 new cases and more than 55, 000 deaths in 2026. About 3, 900 of those deaths will involve people under 50, roughly seven percent of all cancer fatalities. The reasons for the rise among younger adults remain unclear, though known risk factors include obesity, inactivity, diets rich in red or processed meats, and family history. The study’s lead author urged greater awareness and earlier screening, noting that the American Cancer Society lowered the recommended start age for colon cancer screening from 50 to 45 in 2021. Signs of the disease can show up as blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or persistent stomach pain.

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