Rates of colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers are increasing among Americans under 50, a trend also observed globally. Researchers suggest a leading theory for this rise is the increasing prevalence of obesity, which can cause inflammation and higher insulin levels, alongside other risk factors like diet and lifestyle. Individuals born in 1990 face significantly higher risks of developing colon and rectal cancers compared to those born in 1950, with early-onset colorectal cancer now a leading cause of cancer-related deaths for younger adults. Younger patients often experience delayed diagnoses, leading to advanced disease stages, and the condition disproportionately affects Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Asian communities. Ongoing research is deemed crucial to develop more effective screening, prevention, and treatment strategies for early-onset gastrointestinal cancers.