My name is Denise , and I’m a 45-year-old wife, mother, grandmother, and stage IV colorectal cancer survivor fighting for my life. In February 2026, I was diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer, after the disease had already spread to my liver. Like so many others, I never imagined this could happen to me. I wasn’t old enough to have had a routine screening before age 45, and by the time my cancer was discovered, it was already advanced.

Today, I am undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and major surgeries in hopes of beating this disease. While I remain hopeful, I can’t help but ask one question:

What if I had been screened at 40?

Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women combined. Yet, the current guidelines recommend that routine colonoscopy screenings begin at age 45. However, studies show a troubling increase in cases among younger populations. Between 2000 and 2013, the incidence of colorectal cancer in adults younger than 50 increased by 22%. Delaying screenings could mean missing early detection opportunities, which are vital for increasing survival rates.

Lowering the screening age for colonoscopies to 40 years would lead to earlier detection, treatment, and potentially save many lives. Early screening is critically important as colorectal cancer in younger adults often presents with more aggressive forms of the disease. Detecting polyps or early-stage cancer allows for treatment interventions that are less invasive and more effective.

Recent data corroborates this urgency, showing that colorectal cancer rates in people aged 40-44 have increased by almost 15% over the past several years. Moreover, younger patients often face delayed diagnoses because current screening recommendations do not include them, ignoring the shift in trend.

Implementing an adjusted screening age of 40 could substantially lower mortality rates and healthcare costs associated with later-stage cancer treatments. This adjustment is not just a number; it reflects a necessary proactive approach to shift our healthcare practices to address a rising threat.

Join me in calling for the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and healthcare policymakers to recognize the data and take decisive action. Lower the recommended age for routine colonoscopy screenings from 45 to 40. Sign this petition to stand with me and countless others in advocating for change that could save lives.