Colorectal cancer rates have been on the rise among young individuals since the 1990s, affecting even high-profile figures like Kate Middleton and Olivia Munn.

Lifestyle and environmental factors such as exposure to plastic chemicals, consumption of over processed foods, and altered gut microbiome are implicated in the increasing trend.

New advisory symptoms include not just blood in the stool and abdominal pain, but also the occurrence of pencil-thin stools as a potential indicator of colorectal cancer.

Experts urge young people to proactively seek regular screenings for colorectal cancer, particularly if they have a family history or other risk factors.

The United States anticipates over 152,000 new cases of colorectal cancer within the current year.