Colon cancer now leading cause of cancer deaths under 50 in US

The Guardian US News
by Hannah Harris Green
March 12, 2026
2 views
2 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths for Americans under 50.

How This Affects You

If you are under 50, you should not dismiss symptoms like rectal bleeding, as colon cancer is now a leading cause of death.

AI Summary

The American Cancer Society analysis found colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer death for Americans under 50. The study prompted experts to warn younger people not to dismiss symptoms such as rectal bleeding as diagnoses rise in this age group. Becca Lynch, a cyber security worker in Denver, Colorado, was diagnosed with the disease as an example case highlighted in the report.

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

A dad's colon cancer spread to lungs. He says what happened next was a miracle.
Health

A dad's colon cancer spread to lungs. He says what happened next was a miracle.

Spencer Laird was diagnosed with colon cancer at 26. At 30, he was told it had returned and spread to his lungs, with one tumor the size of a golf ball.

CBS NewsMar 14
Trump proposes to loosen rules for cancer-causing gas from sterilizer plants
Environment

Trump proposes to loosen rules for cancer-causing gas from sterilizer plants

The Trump administration proposed Friday to loosen rules surrounding emissions of a cancer-causing gas from sterilizer plants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule to loosen requirements for sterilizer plants that emit a gas known as ethylene oxide. The EPA says that ethylene oxide can cause lymphoma, myeloma, and lymphocytic leukemia, as well as breast…

The HillMar 13
From rockets to cancer research, here’s how the number pi is embedded in our lives - AP News
Technology

From rockets to cancer research, here’s how the number pi is embedded in our lives - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilAFBVV95cUxQcVBqT1hrNDdac0JpU2ZMQmpHbG02aS02NEZRV3NndUMwQnoxdjMzX3pFMTVWc1VacXh1ZzV2OUE0eGZrSDhRaXNDcUljbTVwcm0wRE9MV0h4NkFJRlM1LXBnYVhmUzZyRXZrYklyZmtYRE1qTEc2WXBaajNJV21BLUE1clJrVS01T0owSjJiVjBMYnF0?oc=5" target="_blank">From rockets to cancer research, here’s how the number pi is embedded in our lives</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 14
RFK Jr’s pick to review Covid vaccines authored misleading research, experts say
Health

RFK Jr’s pick to review Covid vaccines authored misleading research, experts say

<p>HHS says the MIT professor is ‘more than qualified’ to serve on the agency’s vaccine advisory panel and calls ‘attacks’ on him ‘politically motivated’</p><p>The MIT professor who has been appointed by Robert F Kennedy Jr to review the safety of Covid-19 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/vaccines">vaccines</a> has failed to meet basic scientific standards in his own research on the topic, according to more than a dozen scientists and public health experts.</p><p>Retsef Levi, an operations management professor, is a member of the US health department’s vaccine advisory committee (ACIP) which is meeting later this month and – many experts fear – <a href="https://www.fightinfectiousdisease.org/post/december-acip-meeting-draws-surge-of-expert-concerns-about-vaccine-access">could seek to rollback recommendations</a> on who should receive Covid-19 vaccines.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/10/rfk-jr-pick-review-covid-vaccines">Continue reading...</a>

The Guardian US NewsMar 10
Exclusive: U.S. dismissed Ukraine deal for anti-Iran drone tech last year
National Security

Exclusive: U.S. dismissed Ukraine deal for anti-Iran drone tech last year

<p>Nearly seven months ago, Ukrainian officials tried to sell the U.S. their battle-proven technology for downing Iranian-made attack drones. They even made a PowerPoint presentation — obtained exclusively by Axios — showing how it could protect American forces and their allies in a <a href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/03/iran-war-countries-gulf-qatar-us" target="_blank">Middle East war</a>.</p><ul><li>The Trump administration dismissed the Ukrainians, only to reverse course last week because of <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/04/politics/us-air-defenses-iran-attack-drones-challenge" target="_blank">more-than-expected </a>drone strikes from Iran.</li></ul><p><strong>Why it matters: </strong>Snubbing Ukraine's offer ranks as one of the biggest tactical miscalculations by the administration since the bombing of Iran began Feb. 28, two U.S. officials tell Axios.</p><hr><ul><li>Iran's inexpensive Shahed drones have been linked to the deaths of seven U.S. service members, and have...

AxiosMar 10
Trump administration sues California over the state’s nation-leading vehicle-emission rules - AP News
Environment

Trump administration sues California over the state’s nation-leading vehicle-emission rules - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiwAFBVV95cUxPLW1sNGZmRUFqcUNQM083ZUpFenVNTGU3dGFFZ1VrZU1TcVJva21PRHQzSEVzdTBkODVISnFTdkpRWW05Y3FkNl9IcE1CdzFRZVFXUUpUck9BYzJrcUo1OS1ZNHpsRG5PR2hraHlMNHJ3ZmQ5Wmw4Q016OVJSOTNsd1RxTWlILWdnVHpZWWRURXI4OUtyLWZ1SnhDWGdxRmx2b1lGZVg3aGU0S0dsbTE2TmxaUENvZUdxa1JVYWZCSE8?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump administration sues California over the state’s nation-leading vehicle-emission rules</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 12
Read Next
After firings, funding cuts, and a shooting, can a demoralized CDC workforce recover?
Health

After firings, funding cuts, and a shooting, can a demoralized CDC workforce recover?

It's been a year since mass firings began at the CDC, the federal public health agency. Then came a shooting, and the government shutdown. Atlanta is still feeling the economic and emotional effects.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources