What ages does colorectal cancer affect?

It varies: Colon cancer can strike from the 20s and beyond, but is much more common in people in their 50s to 70s hence the recommendations to not routinely do colonoscopies in people before the age of 50. Colon cancer that presents before 60 is often genetic whereas after 60 is more likely due to environmental factors like smoking and red meat.

Colorectal Cancer: 90% of colorectal cancers strike after age 50, unless the person has a hereditary form such as familial adenomatous polyposis, or certain chronic diseases such as ulcerative colitis. There has been an uptick in recent years in cases in young people, and screening is recommended in those with a positive family history beginning at age 45. A colon cancer screening test is easy to obtain at any time.