St. Luke’s, Treasure Valley patients lead national effort to better understand rising colon cancer rates

Doctors across the country are seeing a concerning trend: more people under the age of 50 are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer death for men under 50 and the second-leading cause for women in that same age group.

To better understand why this is happening, St. Luke’s Health System is playing a key role in national research aimed at uncovering possible causes. St. Luke’s is one of only two hospitals west of the Mississippi River participating in a major study coordinated by the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and funded in part by the Brian Olson Memorial Golf Classic.

Since 2021, 55 Treasure Valley patients under age 50 have enrolled in the study, which is part of a broader international collaboration. Researchers are examining a wide range of factors, including lifestyle, medical history and genetic influences, to better understand what may be driving the rise in colorectal cancer cases among younger adults.

“We still don’t fully understand why colorectal cancer rates are rising so quickly among younger adults. We are exploring a range of possibilities, including diet, genetics, and environmental influences, and it may involve factors we haven’t yet identified. That’s exactly why this study is so important: to examine all potential contributors and uncover meaningful answers,” said Tammie Eslinger, senior manager, oncology clinical research, St. Luke’s Cancer Institute.

“Having strong regional representation is critical, because the lifestyles and exposures affecting people in Idaho may differ significantly from those in other parts of the country or the world.”

The increase in cases among younger adults prompted the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to update its screening recommendations in 2021, lowering the recommended starting age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45.

Dr. Silvana Bucur, executive medical director of oncology at St. Luke’s says, the rise in colorectal cancer – especially among younger adults – is a global and accelerating trend. “It suggests that changes in our environment, lifestyle or healthcare patterns may play a role. Research like this is essential to helping us better prevent, detect and treat this disease earlier.”

Community support plays a vital role in making this research possible. The Brian Olson Memorial Golf Classic honors the life of Brian Olson, who died from colorectal cancer in 1999 at age 39, leaving behind two young sons. Olson was a longtime Hewlett‑Packard employee and active community member. Following his death, colleagues and friends came together to launch the golf tournament to support cancer research and care at St. Luke’s.

Since 2000, the Brian Olson Memorial Golf Classic has raised nearly $800,000 for St. Luke’s Cancer Institute, making it one of the institute’s largest third‑party fundraising events. This year’s tournament will be held Friday, May 22, at BanBury Golf Course in Eagle.