UCSF Opens Young Adult Colon Cancer Clinic as Rates Rise

Megan McNair was just 29 and holding her newborn daughter when doctors told her she had Stage 4 colon cancer and five years to live. Today, less than a year after finishing chemotherapy, she's cancer-free and celebrating the boring, beautiful routines of everyday life with her two young children.

Her story represents a troubling trend that prompted UCSF to launch the West Coast's first colorectal cancer clinic designed specifically for young adults. Colorectal cancer rates in people aged 20 to 49 have surged 55% since 2000, jumping from 9.8 to 15.2 cases per 100,000 people.

The disease is now the leading cancer killer in adults under 50, surpassing even breast and lung cancer. But UCSF's new program, led by oncologists Dr. Katherine Van Loon and Dr. Chloe Atreya, is fighting back with support tailored to younger patients facing unique challenges like childcare, career disruption, and decades of life ahead.

McNair endured months of chemotherapy while postpartum, making three-hour drives to San Francisco every other week. She lost half her hair, developed hives, and battled exhaustion while caring for a newborn and toddler. "It was a nightmare couple of months figuring out life again," she said.

But she pushed through, completed treatment in January, and is now reclaiming her normal life. She's working out again, preparing the yard for summer, and simply enjoying being present with her kids.

Why This Inspires

McNair's journey highlights both the growing threat of early-onset colorectal cancer and the power of specialized care. She ignored symptoms dating back to middle school, including severe cramping and digestive issues, assuming she just had an upset stomach.

Her message now could save lives. Don't wait for routine screening at age 45 if you're experiencing symptoms like bowel changes, abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss. Get a diagnostic colonoscopy at any age.

While researchers are still investigating why colorectal cancer is rising in young adults, possible factors include ultra-processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, diabetes, and environmental exposures. Van Loon notes that while most leading cancer killers are declining, this one keeps climbing. "My patient population keeps getting younger and younger," she said.

The new UCSF clinic joins a handful of specialized programs nationwide at places like Mayo Clinic and MD Anderson. These programs recognize that younger patients need different conversations about treatment, from fertility preservation to long-term quality of life planning.

McNair's life today is refreshingly ordinary, and that's exactly what makes her grateful. "Life now is so boring in the best way," she said. "I feel the most normal I've felt."