The recent death of actor James Van Der Beek at age 48 has brought renewed attention to a troubling reality: colorectal cancer is increasingly affecting younger adults.

Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in people under 50. Diagnoses among adults in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s have been rising for decades. Yet federal guidelines still recommend routine screening for average-risk adults beginning at age 45.

For many families, that is too late.

Colon cancer often begins as slow-growing polyps that can be detected and removed before they become life-threatening. When caught early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable. When caught at later stages, outcomes are far worse.

Lowering the recommended screening age to 40 would reflect current trends and give younger adults a better chance at early detection.

We understand that screening guidelines must be based on careful evaluation of medical evidence and available resources. But the continued rise in diagnoses among people in their early 40s demands urgent review.

Too many younger adults are being diagnosed only after symptoms appear — sometimes when the disease has already advanced.

We call on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the Department of Health and Human Services to formally reevaluate the data and lower the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening from 45 to 40 for average-risk adults.

Early detection saves lives. Updating guidelines can save more.