According to researchers from the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, rectal cancer rates have been increasing by an average of 2.5 percent a year, with the number of cases among people under the age of 40 gradually on the rise.

Rectal cancer is cancer of the rectum, which is part of the digestive system. The digestive system consists of the esophagus, stomach, and the small and large intestines. The last 6 inches of the digestive system are the rectum and the anal canal.

In the United States, rectal cancer is responsible for the second-highest number of cancer related deaths, after lung cancer. They typically strike older people. Although a young person’s chance of developing rectal cancer is still very small, doctors should be aware of the increased risk.

Rising obesity rates may play a role in the increased number of cases, as heavier weights are linked to the cancer. However, scientists are doing further research to determine the cause.