Rising deaths among younger adults
Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in Americans under age 50, according to the American Cancer Society's 2026 statistics report and a JAMA study published in January. From 2014 to 2023, deaths from brain cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, and lung cancer all declined annually, while colorectal cancer was the only condition among the top five that increased — averaging a 1.1% annual rise since 2005. The reasons for the increase remain largely unknown, though lifestyle factors and environmental exposures are under investigation.
New antibody shows promise against prostate cancer
In a separate development, researchers at Umeå University in Sweden and international collaborators have developed a fully human antibody that halted both tumor growth and metastasis in preclinical models of aggressive prostate cancer. The antibody targets oncogenic signaling driven by the TGF-beta type I receptor, inhibiting cancer cells' ability to invade and migrate. The drug was effective against castration-resistant prostate cancer, an aggressive form that no longer responds to hormone therapy and has limited treatment options.
Public health implications
The colorectal cancer trend has prompted calls for earlier screening, with some experts recommending colonoscopies begin at age 45 rather than 50. The rise in early-onset colorectal cancer remains one of the most puzzling trends in oncology, and the ACS report underscores the need for more research into environmental and dietary triggers that may be driving the increase among younger populations.