Roundup: Uptick in Colorectal Cancer Screenings Leads to More Diagnoses in Younger Adults, and More News

Increase in Colorectal Cancer Screenings Leads to Early Diagnoses in Younger Adults, New Research Finds

New studies from the American Cancer Society (ACS) have found a significant rise in colorectal cancer (CRC) screenings and early-stage diagnoses among U.S. adults aged 45-49. These findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), highlight the impact of updated screening guidelines and underscore the importance of early detection in combating this disease, researchers said.

One ACS study reports a sharp increase in local-stage CRC diagnoses — cases where the cancer remains confined to its original site — among adults aged 45-49. After years of stable rates, diagnoses in this group surged by 50 percent between 2021 and 2022, rising from 11.7 to 17.5 cases per 100,000 individuals.

This trend coincides with updated screening recommendations, which lowered the starting age for CRC testing from 50 to 45. The ACS made this change in 2018, followed by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2021.

Elizabeth Schafer, MPH, lead author of the study, noted in a news release: “The uptick in early-stage diagnoses is promising and likely reflects the impact of first-time screenings among younger adults.”

The study analyzed CRC cases from 2004 to 2022 using data from the National Cancer Institute’s SEER program. Researchers found that while CRC incidence has been steadily increasing across various age groups, the most dramatic rise occurred in adults aged 45-49. From 2019 to 2022, local-stage colon cancer diagnoses in this group increased by 18.8 percent annually, while rectal cancer diagnoses rose by 25.1 percent annually.

In contrast, advanced-stage CRC continues to rise across all age groups, emphasizing the need for earlier and more widespread screening.

Screening Rates on the Rise

A second ACS study, also published in JAMA, highlights a 62 percent increase in CRC screening among adults aged 45-49 between 2019 and 2023. This surge includes a 43 percent rise in colonoscopy use and a more than five-fold increase in stool-based testing. Screening rates improved across all racial and ethnic groups but remained stagnant among individuals with lower educational attainment and those without health insurance.

Jessica Star, MPH, MA, lead author of the screening study, stated in a news release: “It’s encouraging to see more younger adults getting screened, which likely contributes to the rise in early-stage diagnoses. However, disparities in screening access persist, and we must address these gaps to ensure equitable healthcare.”

The study analyzed data from over 50,000 individuals in the National Health Interview Survey, adjusting for factors such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, and region. Despite the progress, overall screening rates for adults aged 45-49 remain suboptimal, with significant room for improvement.

The Importance of Early Detection

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., but it is highly treatable when detected early. The recent surge in early-stage diagnoses among younger adults underscores the life-saving potential of timely screening. As these studies demonstrate, lowering the recommended screening age has already made a measurable impact, but continued efforts are needed to expand access and awareness.

Learn about Baptist Health's Cancer Screening programs.

Large Study: Simple Lifestyle Changes can Significantly Boost Cognitive Function — Even for Those With Dementia Risk

As the global population ages and rates of dementia rise, a new U.S. study has found that the right lifestyle changes can help preserve your brain health — even if you’re at risk for cognitive decline. The U.S. POINTER study, the largest of its kind, found that older adults who followed structured healthy lifestyle plans saw real improvements in brain function.

The U.S. POINTER (Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Intervention to Reduce Risk) was a two-year clinical trial led by the Alzheimer’s Association. Researchers enrolled more than 2,100 adults between 60 and 79 years old who had risk factors for cognitive decline. These included a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, heart health concerns, and family history of memory issues.

Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups:

• Structured Intervention (STR): This group received high levels of support, with set goals for exercise, healthy eating, social and cognitive activities, and regular health check-ins.
• Self-Guided Intervention (SG): This group got general lifestyle advice and support but had more flexibility to decide how and when to make changes.

Both groups focused on key lifestyle areas known to impact brain health: physical activity, nutrition, mental stimulation, social engagement, and heart health.

Lifestyle Changes That Make a Real Difference

At the end of two years, both groups showed improvements in global cognition—a measure of overall brain function that includes memory, reasoning, and attention. But the structured group had significantly greater gains, showing they were able to protect their brain function against normal age-related decline.

Improvements were especially noticeable in executive function (skills like planning and problem-solving) and processing speed (how quickly the brain handles information).

The study’s authors point out that these benefits were consistent across all demographics — including age, sex, ethnicity, and cardiovascular health — and even among those with genetic risk factors like the APOE-e4 gene, which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

What Is APOE-e4?

APOE-e4 is a version of a gene that can increase your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Not everyone with APOE-e4 will get Alzheimer’s, and many people without it can still develop the disease. The findings from U.S. POINTER conclude that healthy lifestyle habits help participants, regardless of whether they had this gene or not.

What Did the Structured Lifestyle Program Include?

Participants in the structured group attended 38 peer-led sessions over two years.

• They followed set goals for:
• Aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises.
• Eating according to the MIND diet (a brain-friendly hybrid of the Mediterranean and DASH diets).
• Using a digital platform for cognitive training.
• Engaging in social and intellectual activities.
• Regular health reviews and goal setting with clinicians.

By contrast, the self-guided group attended only six peer sessions and chose their own goals, with light encouragement from study staff.

Even though the structured group received more guidance and accountability, the self-guided group still experienced benefits—suggesting that any positive lifestyle change can help protect brain health.

“Healthy behavior has a powerful impact on brain health,” said Dr. Joanne Pike, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, in a news release. The Alzheimer’s Association said it plans to continue tracking participants for long-term benefits.

Researchers say you don’t need to wait for a formal program to start supporting brain health. Begin with simple changes: Walk regularly; eat more vegetables, berries, and whole grains; stay socially connected; try a brain game or puzzle; and monitor your heart health.

CDC: Vaccination Exemptions Reaches Record High Among U.S. Kindergartners

Vaccination coverage among kindergartners in the United States is slipping, while the number of exemptions is reaching record highs, according to New data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

During the 2024–2025 school year, fewer kindergartners received their routine immunizations compared to previous years. These vaccines protect against diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, polio, chickenpox (varicella), diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (whooping cough).

According to the CDC, vaccination rates for key vaccines ranged from 92.1 percent (for the DTaP vaccine, which covers diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) to 92.5 percent for the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), polio, and chickenpox vaccines. This marks a continued decline in immunization rates across more than half the states, further distancing the country from the CDC's 95 percenttarget, a benchmark needed to effectively prevent outbreaks.

Rising Vaccination Exemptions

In the 2024–2025 school year, 3.6 percent of kindergartners — roughly 138,000 children — were exempt from at least one required vaccine. That’s up from 3.3 percent the previous year and represents a 1% increase over the past four years.

While some exemptions are granted for medical reasons, the vast majority — all but 0.2 percent — were for non-medical reasons. These often include personal or religious beliefs. Seventeen states reported exemption rates above 5 percent, a threshold that puts entire communities at risk of disease resurgence.

“Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children from serious diseases like measles and whooping cough, which can lead to hospitalization and long-term health complications,” the CDC said in a statement. “CDC is committed to working closely with state and local partners by providing tools, resources, and data that help communities promote vaccine access and awareness.”

Measles: A Case Study in Risk

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is particularly crucial. Measles, once declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, has seen a troubling rise in recent years, largely due to unvaccinated children. In the 2024–2025 school year alone, an estimated 286,000 kindergartners had not completed the MMR series. This gap in immunization contributes directly to the uptick in measles cases — the highest seen since elimination status was achieved.

Why does this matter? Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, especially in young children. It takes only one case in a school or community with low immunization rates to trigger an outbreak.

What Parents Can Do

The decline in vaccination coverage a signal that public confidence in vaccines may be wavering. Parents play a vital role in reversing this trend, say public health officials. Ensuring your child is up to date on their immunizations not only protects their health but also safeguards the health of their classmates and community, CDC officials say.

Speak with your pediatrician to understand the benefits and safety of childhood vaccines, the CDC urges.