Colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for people under 50, and a new report shows that young Black Americans are getting hit the hardest.

The causes aren’t just about family genes. They’re systemic — a combination of delayed cancer screenings, barriers to proper healthcare, and everyday realities like work, insurance, and food access are to blame.

Researchers are sounding the alarm, according to CBS Philadelphia, as cases rise in a demographic where such cases were less likely; people who thought colon cancer was something older generations — our parents and grandparents — had to worry about.

Colorectal cancer rates have more than doubled in Americans under 50 since the 1990s, with the steepest increases in adults in their 20s and 30s.

The stakes are even higher for Black Americans, who have the highest rates of colon and rectal cancer in the U.S., and are more likely to be diagnosed at a later, tougher-to-treat stage.

Experts say part of the fix is simple on paper but much harder in real life: get screened earlier. Major guidelines now recommend that most people start colorectal cancer screening at 45, and some groups say Black Americans should be encouraged to begin even earlier.

Doctors stress that people shouldn’t ignore warning signs just because they’re in their 20s, 30s, or early 40s.

Symptoms like blood in the stool, new or lasting changes in bowel habits, stomach pain that won’t go away, or unexplained weight loss deserve attention.

The message for young Black Americans is blunt but hopeful: this risk is real, but catching it early can save your life.