Under-50 colorectal cancer rose in 27 of 50 countries. In 20 of them the rise was limited to young adults or faster than in older adults, and in 14 (including the U.S.) older adults' rates were stable or falling.
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When to Start Colonoscopy Screening 2026, by Country
New Zealand's under-50 colorectal cancer rate is rising 3.97% a year, the fastest of 50 countries, while its free bowel screening started at 60 and is only now dropping to 58.
- No. 1: New Zealand
- 10 places
01Final list
The leading AIs built their own top-ten lists independently. Above is one combined result that is easy to check: every place has a reason, the AIs that included it and, where the AIs gave one, a source.
A bright badge means this AI put the entry on its list. A dim badge means it did not.
- 1
New Zealand
Fastest rise: 3.97% a year in 25–49-year-olds while older adults' rates fall. Free FIT screening began at 60 and is only now dropping to 58.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Kimi, DeepSeek. Did not include: Meta, Nemotron.In their lists: Claude: 1 · ChatGPT: 1 · Gemini: 1 · Kimi: 1 · DeepSeek: 1
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 1
A fast-rising curve (AAPC 3.97%) and a late screening age: the national programme began at 60 and is only now moving down to 58.
Source ↗ - ChatGPTplace 1
The registry analysis estimated a 3.97% yearly increase, among the sharpest reported.
- Geminiplace 1
Leading the world with an annual rise of almost 4% in young adults, yet free national screening begins a full 11 years after age 49.
Source ↗ - Kimiplace 1
The world's fastest-rising under-50 curve — up 3.97% a year — in a country whose national bowel program still starts at 60, the oldest threshold in this ranking.
- DeepSeekplace 1
New Zealand has the fastest documented rise in the study — AAPC 3.97% per year in adults 25–49 — but its national bowel screening programme starts at age 60, three decades after the under-50 surge begins.
5 AIs put it here - 2
Chile
Up 3.96% a year, tied with New Zealand and over twice the 50–74 rise (1.55%). No national programme; a clinical guideline offers a stool test from 50. Registries cover only 2.2% of people.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Kimi, DeepSeek. Did not include: Meta, Nemotron.In their lists: Claude: 2 · ChatGPT: 2 · Gemini: 2 · Kimi: 2 · DeepSeek: 2
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 2
An AAPC of 3.96%, nearly tied with New Zealand's, and no national population colorectal screening programme at all.
Source ↗ - ChatGPTplace 2
The reported annual rise was 3.96%, close to New Zealand’s estimate.
- Geminiplace 2
A nearly 4% annual increase in under-50 cases contrasts with an opportunistic screening framework that only starts at 50.
- Kimiplace 2
Under-50 cases climbing 3.96% a year — faster than in adults over 50 (1.55%) — while national guidance still offers only an annual stool-blood test from 50.
- DeepSeekplace 2
Chile is essentially tied with New Zealand at 3.96% per year, and the rise was faster in men than in women — but its average-risk screening starts at 50, still after the under-50 case rise.
5 AIs put it here - 3
Puerto Rico
Up 3.81% a year while older adults stay stable. The start age is quoted as 45 (USPSTF) or 40 (a 2015 Health Department order).
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Kimi, DeepSeek. Did not include: Meta, Nemotron.In their lists: Claude: 3 · ChatGPT: 3 · Gemini: 3 · Kimi: 3 · DeepSeek: 3
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 3
AAPC 3.81% and one of the five highest recent early-onset rates (14–17 per 100,000), yet the official start age is quoted as both 40 and 45.
Source ↗ - ChatGPTplace 3
Its 3.81% yearly increase appears in the study as a territory-level registry estimate.
- Geminiplace 3
Climbing at 3.81% per year to reach 15.2 cases per 100,000, prompting alignment with early US screening cutoffs at 45.
Source ↗ - Kimiplace 3
A US territory with the youngest screening start in the Americas (45, same as the mainland US) — yet its under-50 incidence is still rising 3.81% a year.
- DeepSeekplace 3
Puerto Rico combines one of the highest early-onset incidence rates in the study — 15.2 per 100,000 — with a 3.81% yearly rise, and it follows the U.S. recommendation to start screening at 45.
5 AIs put it here - 4
England
Up 3.59% a year while over-50 rates fall. NHS home FIT kits only reached age 50 in 2025, down from 60.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Nemotron, Kimi, DeepSeek. Did not include: Meta.In their lists: Claude: 4 · ChatGPT: 4 · Gemini: 4 · Nemotron: 4 · Kimi: 4 · DeepSeek: 4
What each AI noted 6
- Claudeplace 4
The rise is 3.59% a year in under-50s while older adults' rates fell. The home test kit has only just reached age 50 (2025).
Source ↗ - ChatGPTplace 4
The estimated 3.59% annual rise sits alongside a national FIT programme that now begins at 50.
- Geminiplace 4
Early-onset cases jumped 3.59% annually even as cases among older adults leveled off, while the NHS screening rollout stops at age 50.
Source ↗ - Nemotronplace 4
Rising +1.8%/yr in 25-49 while 50-74 falls; NHS bowel scope (flex sig) at 55 ended, FIT at 60 now lowering to 50.
- Kimiplace 4
Under-50 incidence up 3.59% a year while over-50 rates fall — and the NHS bowel program only finished rolling its FIT kits down to age 50 in 2025.
- DeepSeekplace 4
England’s early-onset rise is 3.59% per year, and the NHS is only now lowering its bowel screening start age from 60 to 50 — a later start than the U.S. 45.
6 AIs put it here - 5
Japan
Screens from 40 with yearly FIT since 1992, the earliest start here, yet under-50 rates still rise 2.94% a year vs 2.03% for older adults (one source).
Included it: Nemotron, Kimi. Did not include: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, DeepSeek.In their lists: Nemotron: 2 · Kimi: 6
What each AI noted 2
- Nemotronplace 2
Rising +2.5%/yr in 25-49; unique national screening starts at 40 with annual FIT — earliest mass start in world.
- Kimiplace 6
The one country here whose screening starts at 40 — a full decade before everyone else — and its under-50 curve is still climbing 2.94% a year.
2 AIs put it hereno source given - 6
Sweden
Under-50 rates up 2.32% a year vs 0.34% for older adults (one source; other AIs give 1.9% and 1.3%). The national stool test starts at 60.
Included it: ChatGPT, Gemini, Nemotron, Kimi. Did not include: Claude, Meta, DeepSeek.In their lists: ChatGPT: 10 · Gemini: 7 · Nemotron: 9 · Kimi: 7
What each AI noted 4
- ChatGPTplace 10
Sweden joins the nine-country group with rising under-50 incidence and stable or falling older-age trends.
Source ↗ - Geminiplace 7
Young-adult diagnoses rose at nearly 2% annually, outpacing older adult increases in a country that screens only from age 60.
- Nemotronplace 9
+1.3%/yr in 25-49; national FIT program starts at 60 — latest start among Nordic peers.
- Kimiplace 7
Under-50 cases up 2.32% a year while the over-50 rate barely moves (+0.34%) — and Sweden's national program, started only in 2021, invites people at 60.
4 AIs put it here - 7
Netherlands
Under-50 rates up 1.77% a year vs 1.25% at 50–74 (one source). FIT invitations only start at 55.
Included it: Kimi. Did not include: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Nemotron, DeepSeek.In their lists: Kimi: 8
What each AI noted 1
- Kimiplace 8
A 1.77%-a-year rise in under-50s against 1.25% in older adults — with Dutch FIT invitations starting at 55.
1 AIs put it hereno source given - 8
Croatia
Under-50 rates up 1.39% vs 0.80% a year for older adults (one source). The stool test starts at 50, but only about 15% of those invited take it.
Included it: Kimi. Did not include: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Nemotron, DeepSeek.In their lists: Kimi: 9
What each AI noted 1
- Kimiplace 9
Rising 1.39% a year in the under-50s against 0.80% in older adults — with a national stool-test program from 50 that so far reaches only ~15% of invitees.
1 AIs put it hereno source given - 9
Norway
Two AIs call it one of the five steepest risers, but no 2024 figure was retrieved, so it sits after the measured countries (2000s data: 1.9% vs 0.5%). Screening starts at 55.
Included it: Claude, Gemini, Nemotron, Kimi, DeepSeek. Did not include: ChatGPT, Meta.In their lists: Claude: 7 · Gemini: 9 · Nemotron: 5 · Kimi: 5 · DeepSeek: 5
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 7
Young-adult incidence rose about four times as fast as older adults' in 2019 (1.9 vs 0.5 a year), and national screening only starts at 55.
Source ↗ - Geminiplace 9
Early-onset rates climbed 1.6% each year while late-onset cases remained flat, with national screening initiating at age 55.
Source ↗ - Nemotronplace 5
+1.7%/yr rise in young adults; national program starts at 55 with FIT (piloting 50), while 50-74 stable.
- Kimiplace 5
Named among the five steepest climbers of the decade — while Norwegians get their first national screening invitation only at 55, one of the latest starts in Europe.
- DeepSeekplace 5
Norway is named among the five steepest early-onset inclines in the Lancet 2024 analysis, alongside Chile, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and England.
5 AIs put it here - 10
Australia
Among the highest under-50 rates (about 16.5 per 100,000), rising while older rates fall, but the speed of the rise is unconfirmed. Screening dropped to 45 in July 2024.
Included it: Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Nemotron, DeepSeek. Did not include: Meta, Kimi.In their lists: Claude: 8 · ChatGPT: 5 · Gemini: 5 · Nemotron: 6 · DeepSeek: 6
What each AI noted 5
- Claudeplace 8
Screening was lowered to 45 in July 2024, but 45–49-year-olds must request their first kit rather than getting one in the post.
- ChatGPTplace 5
The 2019 analysis counted Australia among countries where younger-adult incidence rose while older-adult trends were stable or declining.
Source ↗ - Geminiplace 5
Highest absolute under-50 incidence worldwide at 16.5 per 100,000, forcing the government to lower screening test kit eligibility to age 45.
- Nemotronplace 6
+1.6%/yr in 25-49; world-leading mail-out FIT at 50-74 — but under-50 rise now outpaces screened group decline.
- DeepSeekplace 6
Australia has the highest early-onset incidence level in the 50-country study — 16.5 per 100,000 — and a national FIT programme that starts at 50, even as under-50 rates continue to rise.
5 AIs put it here
02Worth knowing
What the AIs noticed while building the list.
Japan has screened from age 40 since 1992, yet its under-50 rate still climbs. Starting screening earlier does not stop the rise itself.
South Korea topped the 2019 Gut study (+4.2% a year), but that used older years and age bands. One AI reports both of Korea's age groups falling in the 2010s, so it is left out here.
The highest under-50 rates (14–17 per 100,000) are in Australia, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, the U.S. and South Korea; the lowest, about 4, are in Uganda and India.
03Questions people ask
When to start colonoscopy
At 45 for average-risk U.S. adults: the USPSTF gives grade B at 45–49 and grade A at 50–75. Colonoscopy every 10 years is one option alongside yearly FIT stool tests.
Source ↗When to start colonoscopy prep
Usually the day before: switch to clear liquids and take the laxative in two doses, the evening before and the morning of the exam. Exact timing depends on your clinic's product and appointment time.
Source ↗When to start colonoscopy screening
It depends on the country: the U.S. and Australia start at 45, England at 50, Norway at 55, and New Zealand at 58–60. Most national programmes post a FIT stool test first and use colonoscopy only after a positive result.
When to start colonoscopy with family history
If a first-degree relative had colorectal cancer, screening often starts at 40, or 10 years before that relative's age at diagnosis, whichever comes first. The USPSTF's age 45 is only for people without that risk.
Source ↗04How we counted
In plain words, no formulas.
1The question
Top 10 Countries Where Colorectal Cancer Is Rising Fastest in Adults Under 50 — and When They Start Screening
2Why this topic
Registries publish the rise and guidelines publish the start age, but only here do you see which countries' screening starts after the rise has already begun.
3Where it applies
Global (countries with cancer-registry data)
4What we looked at
- Average yearly change in colorectal cancer incidence among adults aged 25–49
- Whether that rise is faster than the rise among adults aged 50–74
- The age at which national guidelines start colorectal screening (40, 45, 50 or later), and the test used
- Lancet Oncology 2024 (Sung et al., American Cancer Society and IARC) — Average annual percent change in colorectal cancer incidence at ages 25–49 vs 50–74, over the last 10 years of registry data (to
- Cancer Therapy Advisor coverage of the Lancet Oncology study — Per-country yearly change for ages 25–49 and 50–74 beyond the top four
- Gut 2019 (Siegel et al., American Cancer Society) — Earlier under-50 trends in 36 countries: rising in 19, stable in 14, falling in Austria, Italy and Lithuania
- USPSTF and national screening programmes — Start age and test for average-risk colorectal screening in each country
5Who ranked
The leading AIs, each building its own list of ten independently and naming a source for every place: Claude, ChatGPT, Meta, Gemini, Nemotron, Kimi, DeepSeek.
6How the places were set
The same entry written differently by different AIs was counted as one. The more AIs put an entry on their list, and the higher they put it, the higher its place. "AI agreement" shows how many of the AIs had it on their own list. Sources are only those the AIs found themselves; nothing was added by hand.
05Each AI's own list
🇺🇸 Claude10 places · 4 notes
The same question, answered by Claude alone. The final list above combines all the AIs.
- 1New Zealand
A fast-rising curve (AAPC 3.97%) and a late screening age: the national programme began at 60 and is only now moving down to 58.
Source ↗ - 2Chile
An AAPC of 3.96%, nearly tied with New Zealand's, and no national population colorectal screening programme at all.
Source ↗ - 3Puerto Rico (U.S. territory)
AAPC 3.81% and one of the five highest recent early-onset rates (14–17 per 100,000), yet the official start age is quoted as both 40 and 45.
Source ↗ - 4England (UK)
The rise is 3.59% a year in under-50s while older adults' rates fell. The home test kit has only just reached age 50 (2025).
Source ↗ - 5South Korea
The steepest young-adult rise in the 2019 Gut study (AAPC 4.2), with the national programme starting at 50 with annual FIT, while a medical guideline says 45.
Source ↗ - 6Argentina
Young-adult rates rose while older-adult rates were stable, and the FIT-based programme targets 50–75, with only about a third of that group ever tested.
Source ↗ - 7Norway
Young-adult incidence rose about four times as fast as older adults' in 2019 (1.9 vs 0.5 a year), and national screening only starts at 55.
Source ↗ - 8Australia
Screening was lowered to 45 in July 2024, but 45–49-year-olds must request their first kit rather than getting one in the post.
- 9Ecuador
Early-onset and older-adult incidence both rose at similar rates, faster in men. This was one of the few Latin American countries in the 50-country study.
Source ↗ - 10Thailand
Rates rose in young adults, but the older-adult rise was larger, so its early-onset trend is the least distinctive among these ten.
Source ↗
What Claude noticed
Early-onset colorectal cancer rates rose in 27 of 50 countries. In 20 of those 27 the rise was exclusive to young adults or faster than in older adults, and in 14 countries (including the U.S.) the young-adult rise came while older-adult rates were stable or falling.
The countries with the steepest rises (New Zealand, Chile, Puerto Rico, England) tend to start screening at or after 50, or have no national programme. The most recent increases are mostly happening in the 45–49 band that only Australia and the U.S. now cover.
The highest recent early-onset rates (14–17 per 100,000) were in Australia, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, the U.S. and South Korea, and the lowest (about 4) in Uganda and India. The rates in young adults are still low compared with people over 50.
Several governments lowered the start age in 2024–2025: Australia to 45 (July 2024), England to 50 (2025) and New Zealand to 58 (Oct 2025 and March 2026). The U.S. has used 45 since 2021.
🇺🇸 ChatGPT10 places · 1 notes
The same question, answered by ChatGPT alone. The final list above combines all the AIs.
- 1New Zealand colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
The registry analysis estimated a 3.97% yearly increase, among the sharpest reported.
- 2Chile colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
The reported annual rise was 3.96%, close to New Zealand’s estimate.
- 3Puerto Rico colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
Its 3.81% yearly increase appears in the study as a territory-level registry estimate.
- 4England colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
The estimated 3.59% annual rise sits alongside a national FIT programme that now begins at 50.
- 5Australia colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
The 2019 analysis counted Australia among countries where younger-adult incidence rose while older-adult trends were stable or declining.
Source ↗ - 6United States colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
The U.S. is one of the nine countries in the 2019 study where the under-50 trend rose while the older trend was stable or falling.
Source ↗ - 7Canada colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
The under-50 increase was reported even as the older-age trend was stable or declining in the 2019 comparison.
Source ↗ - 8Denmark colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
Denmark was among the nine countries where under-50 incidence rose while older-age incidence was stable or declining.
Source ↗ - 9Germany colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
The 2019 country comparison found a younger-adult rise, but the study’s decade windows differ by registry.
Source ↗ - 10Sweden colorectal cancer trend (ages 25–49)
Sweden joins the nine-country group with rising under-50 incidence and stable or falling older-age trends.
Source ↗
What ChatGPT noticed
The 2019 study found increases in 19 of 36 countries, stability in 14, and declines in Austria, Italy, and Lithuania.
🇺🇸 Gemini10 places · 1 notes
The same question, answered by Gemini alone. The final list above combines all the AIs.
- 1New Zealand
Leading the world with an annual rise of almost 4% in young adults, yet free national screening begins a full 11 years after age 49.
Source ↗ - 2Chile
A nearly 4% annual increase in under-50 cases contrasts with an opportunistic screening framework that only starts at 50.
- 3Puerto Rico
Climbing at 3.81% per year to reach 15.2 cases per 100,000, prompting alignment with early US screening cutoffs at 45.
Source ↗ - 4England
Early-onset cases jumped 3.59% annually even as cases among older adults leveled off, while the NHS screening rollout stops at age 50.
Source ↗ - 5Australia
Highest absolute under-50 incidence worldwide at 16.5 per 100,000, forcing the government to lower screening test kit eligibility to age 45.
- 6Canada
A 2% annual rise in adults under 50 has occurred while provincial screening programs continue to hold the line at age 50.
Source ↗ - 7Sweden
Young-adult diagnoses rose at nearly 2% annually, outpacing older adult increases in a country that screens only from age 60.
- 8Finland
Early-onset incidence expanded at 1.8% a year, even as the nationwide screening program launched in 2022 was restricted to ages 60–74.
Source ↗ - 9Norway
Early-onset rates climbed 1.6% each year while late-onset cases remained flat, with national screening initiating at age 55.
Source ↗ - 10United States
Older adult rates plunged by over 30% due to screening, while under-50 cases climbed 1.5% annually, forcing guidelines down to 45.
Source ↗
What Gemini noticed
The early-onset surge is a multi-continent generational phenomenon spanning the Americas, Europe, and Australasia, linked to birth-cohort effects involving ultra-processed diets, childhood obesity, and microbiome changes.
🇺🇸 Nemotron10 places · 1 notes
The same question, answered by Nemotron alone. The final list above combines all the AIs.
- 1Republic of Korea (South Korea)
World's fastest rise in young adults (+4.2%/yr) while 50-74 rates fall — but screening still starts at 50 with FIT.
- 2Japan
Rising +2.5%/yr in 25-49; unique national screening starts at 40 with annual FIT — earliest mass start in world.
- 3China (Hong Kong SAR data)
Early-onset rising +2.3%/yr; no national organized program — screening is opportunistic, often colonoscopy at 50+ if insured.
- 4United Kingdom (England)
Rising +1.8%/yr in 25-49 while 50-74 falls; NHS bowel scope (flex sig) at 55 ended, FIT at 60 now lowering to 50.
- 5Norway
+1.7%/yr rise in young adults; national program starts at 55 with FIT (piloting 50), while 50-74 stable.
- 6Australia
+1.6%/yr in 25-49; world-leading mail-out FIT at 50-74 — but under-50 rise now outpaces screened group decline.
- 7United States
+1.5%/yr in 25-49; USPSTF lowered start to 45 (Grade A) — only major country with 45 start besides Japan's 40.
- 8Canada
+1.4%/yr in 25-49; most provinces start FIT at 50 — no jurisdiction has moved to 45 yet despite US shift.
- 9Sweden
+1.3%/yr in 25-49; national FIT program starts at 60 — latest start among Nordic peers.
- 10Germany
+1.2%/yr in 25-49; unique dual-track: colonoscopy at 50 (men) / 55 (women) or FIT — but under-50 rise continues.
What Nemotron noticed
The US (start 45) and Japan (start 40) are the only major nations with average-risk screening below 50 — yet the US early-onset rise (+1.5%) persists, suggesting screening age alone won't reverse the trend without risk-stratified earlier detection.
🇨🇳 Kimi10 places · 3 notes
The same question, answered by Kimi alone. The final list above combines all the AIs.
- 1New Zealand
The world's fastest-rising under-50 curve — up 3.97% a year — in a country whose national bowel program still starts at 60, the oldest threshold in this ranking.
- 2Chile
Under-50 cases climbing 3.96% a year — faster than in adults over 50 (1.55%) — while national guidance still offers only an annual stool-blood test from 50.
- 3Puerto Rico
A US territory with the youngest screening start in the Americas (45, same as the mainland US) — yet its under-50 incidence is still rising 3.81% a year.
- 4England
Under-50 incidence up 3.59% a year while over-50 rates fall — and the NHS bowel program only finished rolling its FIT kits down to age 50 in 2025.
- 5Norway
Named among the five steepest climbers of the decade — while Norwegians get their first national screening invitation only at 55, one of the latest starts in Europe.
- 6Japan
The one country here whose screening starts at 40 — a full decade before everyone else — and its under-50 curve is still climbing 2.94% a year.
- 7Sweden
Under-50 cases up 2.32% a year while the over-50 rate barely moves (+0.34%) — and Sweden's national program, started only in 2021, invites people at 60.
- 8Netherlands
A 1.77%-a-year rise in under-50s against 1.25% in older adults — with Dutch FIT invitations starting at 55.
- 9Croatia
Rising 1.39% a year in the under-50s against 0.80% in older adults — with a national stool-test program from 50 that so far reaches only ~15% of invitees.
- 10Finland
The slowest climber in this top 10 (0.89%/yr) but still faster than its over-50 rate — and Finland only began national screening in 2022, at age 60.
Source ↗
What Kimi noticed
The widest mismatch on the board is New Zealand: the fastest-rising under-50 curve in the world (3.97%/yr) paired with the oldest screening start in this ranking (60) — about 30% of New Zealand colorectal cancers are diagnosed before the screening age.
Japan complicates the 'just lower the age' story: it has screened from age 40 since 1992 — the earliest start anywhere — yet still posts a 2.94%-a-year rise in under-50 cases, suggesting birth-cohort risk factors, not screening age alone, are driving the trend.
Trends can flip fast: South Korea had the world's steepest rise in the 2000s data (4.2%/yr, the 2019 Gut study's #1) but by the 2010s window both age groups were falling 5-8% a year — so it drops out of the current top risers entirely.
🇨🇳 DeepSeek10 places · 1 notes
The same question, answered by DeepSeek alone. The final list above combines all the AIs.
- 1New Zealand (2024 early-onset colorectal study)
New Zealand has the fastest documented rise in the study — AAPC 3.97% per year in adults 25–49 — but its national bowel screening programme starts at age 60, three decades after the under-50 surge begins.
- 2Chile (2024 early-onset colorectal study)
Chile is essentially tied with New Zealand at 3.96% per year, and the rise was faster in men than in women — but its average-risk screening starts at 50, still after the under-50 case rise.
- 3Puerto Rico (2024 early-onset colorectal study)
Puerto Rico combines one of the highest early-onset incidence rates in the study — 15.2 per 100,000 — with a 3.81% yearly rise, and it follows the U.S. recommendation to start screening at 45.
- 4England (2024 early-onset colorectal study)
England’s early-onset rise is 3.59% per year, and the NHS is only now lowering its bowel screening start age from 60 to 50 — a later start than the U.S. 45.
- 5Norway (2024 early-onset colorectal study)
Norway is named among the five steepest early-onset inclines in the Lancet 2024 analysis, alongside Chile, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, and England.
- 6Australia (early-onset colorectal rise)
Australia has the highest early-onset incidence level in the 50-country study — 16.5 per 100,000 — and a national FIT programme that starts at 50, even as under-50 rates continue to rise.
- 7United States (early-onset colorectal rise)
The U.S. is not the fastest riser, but it is one of the few countries that lowered average-risk screening to 45 — and early-onset rates are still rising while 50-plus rates stabilize.
- 8Canada (early-onset colorectal rise)
Canada was one of nine countries in the Gut 2019 analysis where under-50 colorectal incidence rose while older-adult rates were stable or falling; average-risk screening commonly starts at 50.
Source ↗ - 9Germany (early-onset colorectal rise)
Germany was also in the nine-country Gut 2019 group with rising under-50 incidence and stable or falling older-adult trends, while its screening start is 50 for men and 55 for women for colonoscopy.
Source ↗ - 10Denmark (early-onset colorectal rise)
Denmark is one of the nine countries where the Gut 2019 analysis found an exclusive early-onset rise — under-50 incidence increased while older-adult rates did not — and its national screening starts at 50.
Source ↗
What DeepSeek noticed
The United States is not the fastest riser, but it is one of the few countries that lowered average-risk screening to 45; early-onset rates are still rising while 50-plus rates stabilize.