Colorectal Cancer Alliance backs bill for first national young adult cancer strategy

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance is rallying support for bipartisan House legislation that would direct NIH to create the first national plan for cancers in adults ages 18 to 49. The push comes as young-onset cancers rise and patients often face delayed diagnosis, limited screening and barriers to care.

Why it matters: - Cancer in adults under 50 is rising, and colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death in this age group. - Young adults are often diagnosed late because they are too young for routine screening and symptoms can be mistaken for less serious conditions. - Young adults wait an average of seven months from first symptoms to treatment, compared with one month for people 50 and older. - Each year, about 200,000 young adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer and about 30,000 die from it. - A national strategy could improve earlier detection, research coordination and support services for young patients and their families.

What happened: - Reps. André Carson (D-Ind.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) introduced bipartisan House legislation to create the first national strategy on cancers in adults ages 18 to 49. - The Colorectal Cancer Alliance launched a national effort to build support for the Asal Sayas National Strategy on Young Adult Cancers Act. - The Alliance is asking patients, caregivers, advocates and organizations to sign up at more information. - Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate on June 9, 2026, by Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) as a cosponsor.

The details: - The bill would direct NIH to develop a national strategy within 18 months of becoming law. - The strategy would map current research on young adult cancers across federal agencies. - It would launch a national education campaign so the public and providers recognize symptoms and risk factors sooner. - It would set research priorities on causes, biomarkers, earlier detection and new treatments. - It would reduce barriers that keep young adults out of clinical trials. - It would address fertility, mental health and work needs for young patients and caregivers. - It would create an online federal resource hub for patients, caregivers, providers and researchers. - A federal committee including patient advocacy groups, academic research institutions, biomedical industry and community health institutions would guide the strategy and report to Congress on progress. - The bill is named for Asal Sayas, a policy expert and advocate for people living with colorectal cancer.

Between the lines: - The legislation reflects a broader push to treat young-adult cancer as a distinct policy problem, not just a subset of adult oncology. - The emphasis on education, trial access and practical support suggests lawmakers see the issue as both a medical and systems problem. - The Alliance is using a coalition strategy, bringing in cancer and patient groups across multiple disease areas to broaden support.

What's next: - NIH would have 18 months after enactment to produce the national strategy. - Supporters are being asked to join the advocacy campaign at the Alliance's action page. - The federal committee would help shape the plan and provide progress updates to Congress. - The Alliance says individuals and organizations can continue to add support as the bill moves through Congress.

The bottom line: - The bill would create the first federal roadmap focused on cancers in adults 18 to 49, with the goal of speeding diagnosis, strengthening research and improving support for young patients.