According to the American Cancer Society, about 160,000 new cases of colorectal cancer and approximately 55,000 deaths are expected in the United States this year. Even more concerning, Thomas said, colon cancer diagnoses in adults younger than 50 have increased by roughly 3% each year between 2013 and 2022. Screening saves livesOne of the biggest changes in recent years has been lowering the recommended age for routine colorectal cancer screening. Now practicing at Piedmont Cancer Institute’s Newnan and Fayetteville offices, he treats colorectal cancer regularly—one of the most common cancers he sees in his practice. Early detection not only makes colorectal cancer more treatable—it can prevent it from developing in the first place.