The Early Onset Emergency: A Live Panel on Colorectal Cancer's Alarming New Trend

From Next Question with Katie Couric by iHeartPodcasts

March 25, 2026 · 36 min · Season 12 · Episode 26

About this episode

Katie Couric hosts a live panel discussing the alarming trend of colorectal cancer in younger individuals.

In this special live episode recorded during Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, she sits down with Kevin Conroy, CEO of Exact Sciences and the force behind Cologuard; Judy Faulkner, founder and CEO of Epic Systems; and epidemiologist Dr. Caitlin Murphy to dig into why this disease keeps striking younger people. They cover the leading theories like ultra-processed foods, microplastics, the microbiome and debate whether the screening age should drop below 45, and get into the symptoms doctors too often brush off. If you know someone in their 30s or 40s, send them this one. It could save a life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Katie Couric

Guests: Kevin Conroy, Judy Faulkner, Dr. Caitlin Murphy

Topics covered

colorectal cancer
health awareness
younger demographics
screening age
dietary factors
microplastics

Keywords

colorectal cancer
screening
young adults
health risks
microbiome
processed foods
symptoms

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Exact Sciences, Epic Systems