Doctors aren't talking to younger adults about colorectal cancer screening — and it's a big problem. A new study found adults aged 45–49 are three times more likely than older adults to have never discussed screening with a healthcare provider. With early-onset colorectal cancer on the rise, researchers say this communication gap is a serious missed opportunity.
Despite updated guidelines lowering the recommended screening age to 45, a new study presented at the AACR Conference on The Science of Cancer Health Disparities reveals a stark communication gap: adults aged 45–49 are far less likely to have ever discussed colorectal cancer screening with a clinician compared to their older counterparts. Researchers say this gap may be fueling sluggish screening uptake in a group already facing rising cancer rates.
The study, led by the American Cancer Society, analyzed data from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), covering 3,626 screening-eligible adults aged 45–75. The findings were described as "alarming" by the lead researcher — and the disparities were even sharper along racial lines, with non-Hispanic Black adults aged 45–49 significantly less likely to receive information about screening options than non-Hispanic white peers.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: A doctor's recommendation is one of the strongest drivers of screening behavior. If clinicians aren't having these conversations — especially about non-colonoscopy options — patients may opt out entirely, widening an already growing cancer burden in younger adults.
