Colon cancer is rising in young people and scientists got a clue about why
12 days ago
- #colorectal-cancer
- #early-onset
- #microbiome
- Colorectal cancer cases in people under 54 have increased by 11% over the past two decades.
- A new study links childhood exposure to colibactin, a toxin from E. coli, to early-onset colorectal cancer.
- Younger colorectal cancer patients (under 40) show three times more colibactin-driven mutations than older patients.
- Colibactin exposure likely occurs before age 10, accelerating cancer development by 20-30 years.
- Western diets and urban living may increase the prevalence of colibactin-producing bacteria in the gut.
- Future research may focus on probiotics to counteract colibactin and early detection through stool tests.
- Lifestyle changes like a Mediterranean diet, exercise, and quitting smoking can help reduce colorectal cancer risk.
- Early symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, and rectal bleeding should not be ignored in young adults.