Colon Cancer Is Rising in Young Adults — Here’s Why

Colon cancer used to be considered a disease of older adults. Not anymore. After the deaths of actors like James Van Der Beek and Chadwick Boseman in their early 40s, many are asking why colorectal cancer is increasing in younger people. In this episode of Dr. Simpson Unfiltered, Dr. Terry Simpson explains the rise in early-onset colon cancer, the role of obesity, insulin resistance, IGF-1, inflammation, ultra-processed foods, microbiome disruption, childhood antibiotic exposure, and what the Mediterranean diet can do to lower risk. Most importantly, he discusses why screening at 45 — or earlier for high-risk individuals — remains the most powerful tool we have to prevent this disease.