Think You’re Too Young for Colon Cancer? Think Again.
Men's Health
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Dave Runkel’s story highlights the urgent need for earlier detection of colorectal cancer, a disease increasingly affecting younger adults. Diagnosed at 36 after years of unheeded symptoms, Runkel underwent grueling treatments while also grappling with the emotional toll on his family. His experience underscores how critical it is to recognize early signs and push for timely medical intervention, even when doctors may be reluctant due to age guidelines.
Recent data reveals a concerning trend: early-onset colorectal cancer has nearly doubled since 1995, with cases among 20-24-year-olds up by 185% and those aged 35-39 rising by 58.1%. This shift is particularly alarming because these patients are often otherwise healthy individuals, making it harder to identify risk factors. Researchers are now focusing on understanding why younger adults are developing the disease and how to detect it earlier.
A groundbreaking discovery by UCSD scientists has identified a “mutational signature” in early-on
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Originally published on Men's Health on 2/25/2026