Digestive Disease Week 2026

Rectal cancer deaths are rising two to three times faster than colon cancer deaths among adults aged 20 to 44 in the U.S., with mortality projected to worsen through 2035, particularly for 35-44-year-olds. A study using CDC death records and machine learning found rectal cancer mortality gaps widening across demographics, with Hispanic adults and Western states experiencing the steepest increases. Researchers highlight diagnostic delays and lifestyle factors as key concerns.