Rates of colorectal cancer among adults under age 50 have risen steadily over the past two decades, presenting new and complex challenges for clinicians and public health professionals. While the underlying causes are likely multifactorial, growing evidence points to the roles of dietary patterns, lifestyle behaviors, gut microbiome alterations, metabolic health, and environmental exposures in driving this trend.

This session will provide a comprehensive review of current epidemiologic data on early-onset colorectal cancer and examine proposed biological and behavioral mechanisms linking nutrition to cancer risk. Particular attention will be given to ultra-processed foods as a potential contributor, along with an overview of ongoing government-funded research and evolving scientific priorities in this area.

Beyond prevention, this session will address the unique nutrition considerations for younger adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer, including managing treatment-related side effects, supporting treatment tolerance and effectiveness, addressing psychosocial distress, and improving quality of life and survivorship outcomes.

Registered dietitians will leave with evidence-based, practical strategies to support risk reduction, early intervention, and individualized nutrition care for younger populations increasingly affected by colorectal cancer.

Planned with the Committee for Lifelong Learning