Projected 30% increase in early-onset cancer cases by 2030, with colorectal cancer poised to become the leading cause of death in people under 50.

Lifestyle factors, dietary habits, gut health, and healthcare disparities, especially among Black populations, are significant contributors to the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer cases.

New guidelines suggest starting colorectal cancer screenings at age 45 to enhance early detection and improve survival rates.

City of Hope Orange County has initiated research trials and a mobile cancer prevention program to improve early detection and screening efforts.

Guardant Health's Shield test, a blood-based screening for colorectal cancer, achieved 100% sensitivity in detecting stage 2 or later cancers but is yet to gain FDA approval and insurance coverage.

The Shield test, which detected 83% of colorectal cancers, could complement but not replace colonoscopies, providing a less invasive screening option, with FDA approval anticipated within the year.

Ongoing research is investigating a possible connection between prenatal exposure to synthetic progesterone and early-onset colorectal cancer, highlighting the need for comprehensive research databases and the importance of vigilance in cancer prevention.