Every November, a lot of guys grow a mustache for Movember, the campaign for men's health. Most of the attention goes to prostate and testicular cancer and mental health. Colon cancer deserves a spot on that list too.
The numbers have changed
Colon and rectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in Americans under 50. New cases in adults 20 to 49 are rising about 3% a year, while rates in older adults keep falling, largely because they get screened. Half of early-onset cases are found between ages 45 and 49, right when screening is supposed to start.
Younger patients tend to be diagnosed late
About 3 in 4 people under 50 with colorectal cancer are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Part of the reason is that symptoms get written off: "it's probably hemorrhoids," "I'm too young for that."
Symptoms worth acting on at any age
- Blood in the stool or on the toilet paper
- A change in bowel habits that lasts more than a few weeks
- Belly pain that doesn't go away
- Iron-deficiency anemia, often found on routine bloodwork
- Unexplained weight loss
None of these mean you have cancer. Most of the time it's something far less serious. But they're worth a conversation with your doctor rather than a wait-and-see.
When to start screening
For people at average risk, colon cancer screening starts at 45. If a parent, brother or sister had colon cancer or advanced polyps, you may need to start earlier, often at 40 or 10 years before their age at diagnosis, whichever comes first. Colonoscopy and stool-based tests are both options. The best test is the one you actually get done.
Your Movember to-do
If you're 45 or older and haven't been screened, bring it up at your next checkup. Know your family history. And if something's changed, don't let a mustache be the only thing you take care of this month.
— Brian Frank, MD
Questions about screening? Call (813) 400-0543 or send a message.
Board-certified gastroenterologist (ABIM). Published November 1, 2026.
Statistics from the American Cancer Society's Colorectal Cancer Statistics, 2026. This page is general information, not medical advice. For a medical emergency, call 911.