This petition originates from my personal, heart-wrenching experiences. I have lost a close friend to colon cancer, and now my best friend battles this deadly disease, both of them having suffered for years until it progressed to advanced stage 4 and became incurable. Many young people are being diagnosed with colon cancer, but in the majority of cases, testing starts at 45, which, unfortunately, often reveals the disease when it's too late.

In the U.S., the incidence of colon cancer in young adults has risen by 2% per year over the last decade. Despite this alarming rise, the standard guidelines still recommend initiating colon cancer screening at age 45 (American Cancer Society). It's high time we recognized the significance of early detection, specifically amongst our younger population who, at this moment, are drastically underserved.

Lowering the standard screening age to 30 could mean the difference between early stage curable cancer and stage four terminal illness. It’s not a guaranteed prevention measure, but it improves the odds of catching the cancer at a treatable stage considerably.

Join us in asking national health organizations and the medical community to lower the age for colon cancer testing from 45 to 30 years. Your signature carries the power to provoke change and potentially save lives. Sign this petition now.