A New Killer: Colorectal Cancer's Rise in Young Americans Spurs Action

WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 27, 2026 – A chilling new reality is galvanizing a grassroots army on Capitol Hill. New data from the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveals that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for Americans under the age of 50, a grim milestone that has mobilized hundreds of patients, survivors, and caregivers to demand immediate congressional action.

This week, more than 250 advocates from 40 states, organized by the advocacy group Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC), held 212 meetings with lawmakers during their 20th Annual Call-on Congress. Their message was unified and urgent: the nation is facing a burgeoning crisis that is cutting short the lives of young and middle-aged adults, and the federal research funding dedicated to stopping it is dangerously inadequate.

The Alarming Shift: A "Young Person's Disease"

For decades, colorectal cancer was widely considered a disease of the elderly. That perception has been shattered by recent epidemiological trends. According to ACS research, while mortality rates for other major cancers have fallen, colorectal cancer deaths among those under 50 have been steadily increasing by 1.1% each year since 2005. The disease has climbed from the fifth most common cause of cancer death in this age group in the early 1990s to the number one spot today.

This disturbing trend is not just a statistical anomaly; it reflects a profound shift in who the disease affects. Researchers point to a "birth cohort effect," where generations born after 1950 are experiencing progressively higher risks. Incidence rates among adults aged 20 to 49 have jumped by 3% per year, with rectal cancers in particular showing a sharp increase. In 2026 alone, the ACS estimates a total of 55,230 Americans will die from the disease.

Compounding the crisis is a pattern of delayed diagnosis. A staggering three out of four colorectal cancers in adults younger than 50 are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when the disease is harder to treat. Patient stories echo a common, heartbreaking theme: initial symptoms are often dismissed by both patients and some medical professionals as less serious conditions, like hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome, simply because of the patient's age. For many, like one 35-year-old father and avid runner who was diagnosed with stage 2 rectal cancer, the shock is profound. He sought help for symptoms he initially brushed off, a decision that ultimately allowed for successful treatment. His experience underscores a vital public health message: you are never too young for colorectal cancer.

A Fight for Funding on Capitol Hill

Armed with these stark statistics and their own powerful personal stories, advocates at the Call-on Congress presented a clear demand to lawmakers. They are urging Congress to allocate $20 million for a dedicated Colorectal Cancer Research Program (CRCRP) within the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

“This year’s Call-on Congress comes in the wake of news that should shake the nation to its very core,” said Anjee Davis, CEO of Fight CRC, in a statement. “Colorectal cancer is presenting more in younger patients every year, and for far too many, it will cut their lives short. This is a national crisis that the advocates, patients, and families that joined our Call-on Congress understand all too well. Our government must act to meet the gravity of the moment.”

The CDMRP is uniquely positioned to address this challenge. Established to fund innovative, high-risk, high-reward biomedical research, it often tackles projects outside the scope of traditional funding bodies like the National Institutes of Health. A dedicated colorectal cancer program would accelerate research into prevention, early detection, and novel treatments, with a potential focus on factors relevant to military populations who may face unique environmental exposures and diagnostic hurdles.

The Stark Reality of a Funding Disparity

The advocates' push for dedicated funding highlights a glaring disparity in the federal government's approach to cancer research. Despite being the second leading cause of cancer deaths overall and the first among younger Americans, colorectal cancer research receives just 3% of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) annual budget. In fiscal year 2023, the NCI allocated approximately $238.6 million to colorectal cancer, a figure dwarfed by the $542 million allocated to breast cancer research.

This disparity is even more pronounced within the DoD's CDMRP. While programs for breast cancer and prostate cancer received $150 million and $110 million respectively in 2023, colorectal cancer has historically lacked a similar dedicated funding stream, instead competing for grants within a broader, more generalized cancer research program. The $20 million request is seen by advocates not as a ceiling, but as a critical first step toward establishing research parity for a disease whose public health burden is rapidly growing.

Bipartisan Momentum Builds, But the Battle Isn't Over

The personal appeals and hard data presented by advocates are having a measurable impact. The number of bipartisan members in the House of Representatives signing on in support of colorectal cancer research has grown from 44 in 2025 to 71 this year. This momentum is bolstered by the Congressional Colorectal Cancer Caucus, a bipartisan group dedicated to raising awareness and advancing policy solutions.

This support has already translated into legislative action. In 2025, U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Tim Burchett (R-TN) introduced the bipartisan "Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Act," aimed at expanding screening and awareness for individuals under 45. However, advocates emphasize that securing robust support in the Senate remains a critical hurdle to ensure the requested funding becomes a reality.

As the week of advocacy concludes, the voices of those on the front lines of this disease linger in the halls of Congress. Their stories of shock, loss, and resilience serve as a powerful testament to the human cost of the crisis. For them, the fight is not just about budgets and programs; it is about saving the lives of future parents, partners, and community members from a disease that is striking with increasing ferocity. Those wishing to join their cause can send a message to lawmakers by visiting FightCRC.org/takeaction.