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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Cancers

The Changing Global Epidemiology of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Incidence Trends, Modifiable Risk Factors, and Future Burden Projections

  • Kacper Wrzosek1
  • Agata Koba1
  • Pola Bakalczuk1
  • Julia Oziębło1,2,3
  • Karolina Michno4,5
  • Weronika Pająk1
  • Jakub Kleinrok1
  • Agnieszka Korolczuk1
  • Daria Trojanowska6
  • Alicja Forma7,8
8 affiliations
  1. 1Chair and Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
  2. 2Student Scientific Society of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
  3. 3Student Scientific Society of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
  4. 4Student Scientific Society of Correct, Clinical, and Imaging Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
  5. 5University Clinical Hospital No. 2 of the Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
  6. 6Faculty of Medicine, Lazarski University, 02-662 Warsaw, Poland
  7. 7Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland
  8. 8Department of Correct, Clinical and Imaging Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, ul. Jaczewskiego 4, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
Open at sourceDOICite

Abstract

Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), defined as colorectal cancer diagnosed before age 50, has become an increasing global public health concern. Incidence rates have risen among younger adults in many countries, despite stable or declining rates in older populations. This review examines global EOCRC epidemiology, potentially modifiable risk factors, and projected future disease burden. Evidence from international cancer databases, population-based registries, and observational studies is synthesised, considering differences by age, sex, geographic region, and tumour location. Key risk factors include obesity, metabolic dysfunction, dietary patterns, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, antibiotic exposure, and gut microbiome alterations. The review also evaluates temporal trends and projections of incidence, prevalence, and mortality. Although increasing incidence may reflect changing lifestyles, metabolic health, environmental exposures, and other early-life risk factors, their relative contributions remain incompletely understood. Improved understanding of EOCRC epidemiology and future burden may help identify high-risk populations, guide targeted prevention strategies, inform public health policy, and support discussions on earlier colorectal cancer detection and screening.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{wrzosek2026changing,
  title = {{The Changing Global Epidemiology of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Incidence Trends, Modifiable Risk Factors, and Future Burden Projections}},
  author = {Kacper Wrzosek and Agata Koba and Pola Bakalczuk and Julia Oziębło and Karolina Michno and Weronika Pająk and Jakub Kleinrok and Agnieszka Korolczuk and Daria Trojanowska and Alicja Forma},
  journal = {Cancers},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3390/cancers18213453},
  url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/18/21/3453},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The Changing Global Epidemiology of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer: Incidence Trends, Modifiable Risk Factors, and Future Burden Projections
AU  - Kacper Wrzosek
AU  - Agata Koba
AU  - Pola Bakalczuk
AU  - Julia Oziębło
AU  - Karolina Michno
AU  - Weronika Pająk
AU  - Jakub Kleinrok
AU  - Agnieszka Korolczuk
AU  - Daria Trojanowska
AU  - Alicja Forma
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/26
JO  - Cancers
DO  - 10.3390/cancers18213453
UR  - https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/18/21/3453
AB  - Early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), defined as colorectal cancer diagnosed before age 50, has become an increasing global public health concern. Incidence rates have risen among younger adults in many countries, despite stable or declining rates in older populations. This review examines global EOCRC epidemiology, potentially modifiable risk factors, and projected future disease burden. Evidence from international cancer databases, population-based registries, and observational studies is synthesised, considering differences by age, sex, geographic region, and tumour location. Key risk factors include obesity, metabolic dysfunction, dietary patterns, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, antibiotic exposure, and gut microbiome alterations. The review also evaluates temporal trends and projections of incidence, prevalence, and mortality. Although increasing incidence may reflect changing lifestyles, metabolic health, environmental exposures, and other early-life risk factors, their relative contributions remain incompletely understood. Improved understanding of EOCRC epidemiology and future burden may help identify high-risk populations, guide targeted prevention strategies, inform public health policy, and support discussions on earlier colorectal cancer detection and screening.
SN  - 2072-6694
ER  -