Alarming rise in bowel cancer among the young: Surprising reasons fueling the surge

Gone are the days when cancer struck the old, and spared the young. Bowel cancer cases have doubled in people under 55 over the past 20 years as per the American Cancer Society, a disturbing trend that point towards the deadly cancer's growing threat.

Studiessuggest up to 90% of colorectal cancers are due to environmental and lifestyle factors, which makes them highly preventable. Bowel cancer remains one of the most prevalent cancers globally, responsible for over 1.9 million new cases and nearly 904,000 deaths in 2022.

Not just bowel cancer, other types of cancers including breast, bowel, lungs, ovaries, and pancreas are also on rise among youth. Recent research published in The Lancet Oncology has brought renewed attention to the alarming surge in colorectal cancer among younger adults, particularly in high-income Western countries, where trends for older adults have stabilised or even decreased.

Experts suggest that lifestyle factors such as poor diet, physical inactivity, and rising obesity rates could be contributing to this disturbing pattern. With young women in certain countries experiencing faster increases than men.

Bacterial toxin
A new study published in Nature has identified colibactin, a DNA-damaging toxin produced by certain strains of E. coli, as a potential culprit behind the surge in early-onset bowel cancer. Researchers from the University of California, San Diego, analyzed tumor samples from nearly 1,000 colorectal cancer patients across four continents and found that younger patients (under 40) were 3 to 5 times more likely to carry mutations linked to exposure to colibactin than those aged 70 and above. This suggests that gut microbiota imbalances could be playing a bigger role than previously thought.

Ultraprocessed foods
Munching on ultraprocessed foods like packaged snacks, sweetened beverages, and ready-made meals could be fueling the pandemic of colorectal cancer. Researchers at USF Health and Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute have found that Western diets having ultra-processed foods and unhealthy oils could trigger chronic inflammation that drives tumour growth. Researchers, funded by a $3.1 million NIH grant, have made significant strides in understanding colorectal cancer. Their first study, published in Gut, explores how processed foods may hinder the body's natural healing processes.

Stress and mental healthAnother contributing factor to the rise in colorectal and other cancers among younger adults could be the growing impact of stress and mental health disorders. Chronic stress and anxiety can trigger inflammation in the body, weaken the immune system, and alter the gut microbiota, all of which may contribute to cancer development. Recent studies have shown a link between mental health struggles and an increased risk of cancer, with stress potentially accelerating tumor growth by suppressing the body’s ability to fight off abnormal cells. According to the National Institutes of Health, chronic stress can suppress cancer-related immune responses by altering various immune cells, thereby potentially promoting cancer development.

What is bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer also known as colorectal cancer affects the large bowel, which is made up of the colon and rectum. It begins in the lining of the large bowel (colon) or back passage (rectum).

One should not ignore changes in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool. Stomach cramps, gas or pain could also be a contributing factor.

Another important sign not to miss is the feeling that the bowel doesn't empty all the way during a bowel movement.
Weakness or tiredness, and losing weight without trying are other signs of cancer.

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