As with most types of cancer, the risk of developing the disease increases with age: from the age of 50 onwards, colon cancer occurs more frequently. But more and more young people are also getting cancer. This has been shown again and again in studies. However, these were often based on figures from the USA.

“The reported increases in the incidence of colon cancer should be viewed with some caution, at least for Germany,” explains Alexander Katalinic in exchange with FOCUS online. The expert is director of the Institute for Social Medicine and Epidemiology and the Institute for Cancer Epidemiology at the University of Lübeck.

Colon cancer is one of the most common early-onset cancers

The latest analyzes from 2025 showed: There are almost constant trends among 40 to 49 year olds and only among the very young (20 to 39) are there small rates of increase. At the same time, you shouldn’t just look at the percentages, the cancer expert points out and calculates:

“Let’s assume that the number of cases among 20 to 29 year olds has increased by ten percent. Then instead of around 250 cases in Germany, there would now be 275 cases. For me, this puts the relevance of the increase into perspective.”

Nevertheless, colon cancer is one of the most common early-onset cancers, along with breast cancer and bronchial and lung cancer.

“If you have two of these symptoms, you should really have a colonoscopy done.”

The good news: If colon cancer is detected early, it is often curable. Some experts therefore appeal for possible cancer screening examinations before the age of 50.

One of them is James Cleary, a gastroenterologist and oncologist at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. He calls the “Business Insider“The following five symptoms of colon cancer:

• unwanted weight loss: Considered a symptom of several types of cancer, including colon cancer. According to Cleary, this typically involves a significant weight loss of five to ten kilos in six months to a year. He speaks of a “high-risk trait”. Those affected should definitely see a doctor, especially if an additional symptom occurs, such as rectal bleeding.
• persistent fatigue: If you constantly feel very tired, this could also be a sign. The background is blood loss through rectal bleeding, which in turn leads to a lack of healthy red blood cells.
• Changes in bowel movements: These include more frequent trips to the toilet, pencil-thin stools, diarrhea, constipation and blood in or on the stool.
• Iron deficiency anemia (= low iron levels): The aforementioned blood loss can lead to iron deficiency. Signs of iron deficiency include fatigue, lack of energy, shortness of breath and headaches.
• Abdominal pain: repeated, convulsive stomach painlasting longer than a week can also be a sign.

Cleary emphasizes, “If you only notice one of these symptoms, you should consider a colonoscopy. But if you have two of these symptoms, statistically, the odds are higher, and you should really have a colonoscopy.” This also applies to young people.

These colon cancer screening tests exist

There are two possible screening tests for colon cancer. Experts think both make sense, writes Das German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Specifically, these are:

• Colonoscopy (colonoscopy): For men and women aged 50 and over, a colonoscopy is offered as part of the statutory cancer early detection program. It is more reliable than the stool test. Doctors examine the inside of the intestine with an endoscope. Intestinal polyps (= possible precancerous lesions) can also be removed immediately.
• Stool test (test for non-visible blood in the stool): An immunological test for hidden blood in the stool can be carried out annually from the age of 50 and every two years from the age of 55. The background is that intestinal tumors bleed more often than healthy intestinal mucosa. If the stool test is abnormal, a colonoscopy is usually recommended.

People with a genetic predisposition, a family history or other risk factors such as inflammatory bowel disease are considered to be particularly at risk. Talk to your doctor about possible earlier check-ups.

“Dietary risk factors such as red meat, a lot of salt, little fruit, vegetables and milk, but also alcohol consumption and smoking are the main factors behind early onset cancer cases,” the researchers explained. There are also clear connections with obesity and increased blood sugar levels.

According to the team, at least some of these cancer cases could be delayed, if not prevented, by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

As Prevention tips The DKFZ also recommends accordingly:

• do not smoke
• regular exercise (regardless of excess weight)
• Avoiding excess weight
• Diet with enough fiber, lots of vegetables and little red meat
• little or, if possible, no alcohol
• Early detection examinations from the age of 50

In order to break the trend, more information and better early detection are also important. Cancer therapies would also have to be adapted for younger patients.

Two thirds of colon cancer patients live five years after diagnosis

Depending on the tumor and the patient’s state of health, treatment can include removing the affected section of the intestine or using radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of radiation and chemotherapy.

Five years after diagnosis, two thirds of men and women are still alive. A positive development that experts attribute, among other things, to early cancer detection and treatment.