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March is Colon Cancer Awareness month. According to a study published in January 2026 by the Journal of American Medical Association, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death for both men and women under age 50 in the U.S.
According to the American Cancer Society, rates of colon cancer have been rising about 1% a year since 2005. And this is despite declines in the death rates from other common cancers such as breast, lung and brain cancer, as well as leukemia.
One in 24 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer in their lifetime. Each year, about 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer.
"Colon cancer is a life-threatening disease, but it's a highly curable form of cancer and has a 90% survival rate when detected early," said Dr. Nathan Merriman, MD, medical director for gastroenterology and digestive health at Intermountain Health based in the Salt Lake City area.
"When colon cancer isn't found until late stages, the survival rate drops dramatically. Colonoscopies save lives," said Emily Van Komen, NP, a nurse practitioner in gastroenterology at Intermountain Health based in the Salt Lake City area.
About 75% of colon cancers occur in people with no family history, meaning most people who develop this cancer did not know they were at risk," she added.
According to Van Komen, people born around 1990 have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer, compared with those born around 1950. While the reasons why colon cancer rates are increasing are complex, experts believe diet, tobacco, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and metabolic disease likely contribute to this.
The recommended age for people at average risk for colon cancer is age 45. A colonoscopy is the gold standard of screening for colon cancer because if pre-cancerous polyps are identified, they can be removed easily during the screening colonoscopy.
–Emily Van Komen, NP
"The recommended age for people at average risk for colon cancer is age 45. A colonoscopy is the gold standard of screening for colon cancer because if pre-cancerous polyps are identified, they can be removed easily during the screening colonoscopy," said Van Komen.
According to experts, the data shows that a third of people who could get checked for colon cancer don't. A missed or delayed screening gives colon cancer a chance to grow and become more dangerous, long before any symptoms might appear.
"We all need to talk to our family members about any family history of colon cancer, polyps, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease. If you have any of those in your family history, you may be at higher risk for colon cancer. Talk to your doctor about getting screened earlier than age 45," Merriman said.
Symptoms to discuss with your doctor
If you have any of these symptoms, they need attention. Contact your primary care physician and make an appointment.
- Rectal bleeding or bleeding with a bowel movement. It may show up on toilet paper, in the toilet bowl, or in your stool.
- Anemia or low iron levels.
- Changes in bowel habits.
- Persistent abdominal pain.
- Unexplained weight loss.
"Don't dismiss symptoms of rectal bleeding, assuming it's just hemorrhoids. Ask your doctor about how to determine the cause of rectal bleeding and rule out colon cancer or other serious gastrointestinal conditions, even if you're young," said Merriman.
The most effective way to prevent colon cancer is to get screened. Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable.
Lifestyle changes that may help reduce your risk of colon cancer
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Limit red meat and processed meat.
- Avoid ultra-processed foods.
- Exercise regularly: aim for 150 minutes per week.
- Don't use tobacco products.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.
Other healthy lifestyle behaviors that can be helpful in general or for hemorrhoids are to stay hydrated and eat enough fiber in your diet to keep things moving and help prevent hard stools or straining.
A colonoscopy is the preferred screening for colon cancer because it detects and prevents colon cancer in one step. If pre-cancerous polyps are identified, they can be removed easily during the screening colonoscopy. To schedule a colon cancer screening, visit the Colon Cancer Screening page at intermountainhealth.org/colonoscopy.
People of average risk for colon cancer may qualify for an at-home stool-based colon cancer screening kit. For patients with positive stool test results, a colonoscopy would likely be recommended. For more information, visit the On-Demand Services page at intermountainhealth.org.
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