Colorectal cancer on the rise in adults under 50
[WCCO-TV News, April 21, 2026]
Colorectal cancer is on the rise in people younger than 50, and doctors are working to raise awareness. The recommended age for colorectal cancer screening has dropped from 50 to 45. Even some health care professionals may not immediately attribute symptoms such as rectal bleeding, sudden weight loss or blood in the stool to colon cancer in younger patients.
That’s why Joleen Hubbard, MD, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist with Allina Health Cancer Institute, says it’s important for patients to advocate for themselves—especially if they have a family history of colon cancer.
Regular exercise and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help lower environmental risk for colorectal cancer. However, you cannot change your age or family history, which makes following screening recommendations key to catching the disease early. Watch Dr. Hubbard’s full interview on WCCO‑TV below.
That’s why Joleen Hubbard, MD, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist with Allina Health Cancer Institute, says it’s important for patients to advocate for themselves—especially if they have a family history of colon cancer.
Regular exercise and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help lower environmental risk for colorectal cancer. However, you cannot change your age or family history, which makes following screening recommendations key to catching the disease early. Watch Dr. Hubbard’s full interview on WCCO‑TV below.
Posted on April 21, 2026 in
cancer, Allina Health Cancer Institute
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