Early-onset gastrointestinal cancers show more advanced disease and wider racial survival gaps

Dr Jessica Paulus speaks to ecancer about a large real-world study that examines early-onset gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal, gastric, and oesophageal cancers.

The study highlights important differences in presentation and outcomes compared to average-onset disease.

Dr Paulus says that findings show that patients diagnosed before age 50 are more likely to present with advanced-stage disease and experience higher levels of distress. Early-onset cases also occur more frequently in racially and ethnically diverse populations.

Notably, racial disparities are more pronounced in early-onset disease. Black and Asian patients have significantly higher rates of advanced-stage diagnosis compared to White patients, leading to a substantial survival gap, particularly among younger patients.

These results underscore the need for a precision public health approach to address both biological and socioeconomic drivers, aiming to reduce disparities and improve outcomes in younger, diverse populations with gastrointestinal cancers.