Global Action on Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Rates of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC)—diagnosed in people under age 50—are on the rise across the globe, affecting at least 14 countries in North America, Europe, Oceania, South America, and beyond. While prevention and treatment advances have helped older adults, younger patients too often face delayed diagnoses, aggressive disease, and life-altering personal and professional challenges.

In June 2025, Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) convened the world’s first-ever global think tank dedicated exclusively to EOCRC. Held in Barcelona, Spain, this historic meeting brought together 71 experts and advocates from 18 countries—thanks to the generous support of individual donors and private fundraising.

The goal: to launch a unified, global research strategy to uncover the causes of EOCRC and stop its rise. This landmark event united leading advocacy organizations—including Bowel Cancer Australia, Bowel Cancer UK, Colorectal Cancer Canada, Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE), and the Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA)—to begin building a shared blueprint for ending EOCRC worldwide.

Global Action on Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Rates of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC)—diagnosed in people under age 50—are on the rise across the globe, affecting at least 14 countries in North America, Europe, Oceania, South America, and beyond. While prevention and treatment advances have helped older adults, younger patients too often face delayed diagnoses, aggressive disease, and life-altering personal and professional challenges.

In June 2025, Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) convened the world’s first-ever global think tank dedicated exclusively to EOCRC. Held in Barcelona, Spain, this historic meeting brought together 71 experts and advocates from 18 countries—thanks to the generous support of individual donors and private fundraising.

The goal: to launch a unified, global research strategy to uncover the causes of EOCRC and stop its rise. This landmark event united leading advocacy organizations—including Bowel Cancer Australia, Bowel Cancer UK, Colorectal Cancer Canada, Digestive Cancers Europe (DiCE), and the Global Colon Cancer Association (GCCA)—to begin building a shared blueprint for ending EOCRC worldwide.

Thank you to our partners!

By 2040, colorectal cancer is projected to claim 1.6 million lives annually — a staggering 73% increase from 2020. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for global action and the impact that GEOCRCTT 2025 can achieve . This unprecedented collaboration marked a pivotal step toward reversing the rise of EOCRC.

Thank you to our partners!

By 2040, colorectal cancer is projected to claim 1.6 million lives annually — a staggering 73% increase from 2020. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for global action and the impact that GEOCRCTT 2025 can achieve . This unprecedented collaboration marked a pivotal step toward reversing the rise of EOCRC.

Thank you to our partners!

By 2040, colorectal cancer is projected to claim 1.6 million lives annually — a staggering 73% increase from 2020. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for global action and the impact that GEOCRCTT 2025 can achieve . This unprecedented collaboration marked a pivotal step toward reversing the rise of EOCRC.

Our Story in Motion: Watch Our Recap Videos

Our Story in Motion: Watch Our Recap Videos

Building a Global Movement: Active Workgroups

Five global working groups have been established to drive this mission forward, each focusing on critical areas of EOCRC research, advocacy, and ongoing collaboration. These groups will convene quarterly over the next two years, fostering sustained international collaboration and innovation

Identify the areas of etiological research that need to be prioritized and begin conducting the research.
Recommend etiologic standardized epidemiological tools and other tools needed to implement research studies, such as databases and more.
Identify recommended standards for blood biobanking and tissues.
Identify collaborative funding strategies to support the initiative.
Focusing on strategies to reduce incidence and mortality risk stratification and awareness strategies.

Building a Global Movement: Active Workgroups

Five global working groups have been established to drive this mission forward, each focusing on critical areas of EOCRC research, advocacy, and ongoing collaboration. These groups will convene quarterly over the next two years, fostering sustained international collaboration and innovation

Identify the areas of etiological research that need to be prioritized and begin conducting the research.
Recommend etiologic standardized epidemiological tools and other tools needed to implement research studies, such as databases and more.
Identify recommended standards for blood biobanking and tissues.
Identify collaborative funding strategies to support the initiative.
Focusing on strategies to reduce incidence and mortality risk stratification and awareness strategies.

You Empower our Research. Your gift will give more time to patients and caregivers.

You Empower our Research. Your gift will give more time to patients and caregivers.

You Empower our Research. Your gift will give more time to patients and caregivers.

Stay Connected

With the support of our advocacy partners, we will continue advancing this work in partnership with the global EOCRC community. We invite researchers, advocates, and supporters to:

  • Join the conversation: Become a member of our Community of Champions, a vibrant online space where researchers, advocates, patients, and supporters unite. Here, you’ll find event takeaways, comprehensive summaries, and updates on each workgroup’s progress. It’s more than a community—it’s a movement.

  • Stay Informed: Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest insights, research developments, and opportunities to contribute to the fight against EOCRC.

  • Reach Out: Have questions or ideas? We’re here to listen.

Stay Connected

With the support of our advocacy partners, we will continue advancing this work in partnership with the global EOCRC community. We invite researchers, advocates, and supporters to:

  • Join the conversation: Become a member of our Community of Champions, a vibrant online space where researchers, advocates, patients, and supporters unite. Here, you’ll find event takeaways, comprehensive summaries, and updates on each workgroup’s progress. It’s more than a community—it’s a movement.

  • Stay Informed: Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest insights, research developments, and opportunities to contribute to the fight against EOCRC.

  • Reach Out: Have questions or ideas? We’re here to listen.

Looking for Research Advocacy Partners?

Explore EOCRC advocacy groups around the world to find a community near you.

Bowel Cancer UK
Bowel Cancer Australia
Digestive Cancers Europe
Global Colon Cancer Association

Looking for Research Advocacy Partners?

Explore EOCRC advocacy groups around the world to find a community near you.

Bowel Cancer UK
Bowel Cancer Australia
Digestive Cancers Europe
Global Colon Cancer Association
Community Voices

Additional Resources

Reports

2024 Think Tank Report
2023 Think Tank Report

Webinars

2024 Workshop Series
Biology & Etiology Workshop
Risk & Population-Based Screening
2023 Think Tank Recap

Early Onset Research

Research Timeline
Transforming EAO CRC Outcomes
EAO CRC Highlighted in Frontiers

Additional Resources

Reports

2024 Think Tank Report
2023 Think Tank Report

Webinars

2024 Workshop Series
Biology & Etiology Workshop
Risk & Population-Based Screening
2023 Think Tank Recap

Early Onset Research

Research Timeline
Transforming EAO CRC Outcomes
EAO CRC Highlighted in Frontiers