Bowel Cancer Rates in Young People Skyrocketing: Is Gut Bacteria the Culprit?
Alarming Trend:
Colorectal cancer rates in young adults (20-39 years) have doubled in just two decades, making it the leading cause of cancer-related death in this age group.
Mystery at the Core:
The cause of this spike remains unclear, but researchers suspect it’s not due to genetics (which usually takes generations to manifest).
Gut Microbiome in the Spotlight:
Changes in our diet, lifestyle, and environment may be altering the gut microbiome, potentially leading to colorectal cancer. This “birth cohort effect” shares similar environmental factors among people born around the same time.
Microbiome and Cancer Connection:
A recent study by Buchanan’s team identified specific bacteria in the gut that produce DNA-damaging toxins. These bacteria were present in 6-10% of colorectal cancer cases, with one strain linked to early-onset cases.
First Non-Genetic Biomarker:
Buchanan’s study identified a specific E. coli strain that produces colibactin, a DNA-damaging toxin, detectable in tumor tissue. This marks the first non-genetic biomarker for colorectal cancer, potentially linking the cause to bacterial activity.
Not a Guaranteed Risk:
While the presence of these bacteria increases the risk, it doesn’t guarantee cancer development. Further research is needed to determine the most effective testing methods.
Raising Awareness for Young Adults:
Early detection is crucial for young people. Knowing family history and being aware of symptoms like weight loss, bowel changes, and blood in stool are essential.
Breaking the Stigma:
Young people often hesitate to discuss these symptoms, leading to delayed diagnoses. Raising awareness and encouraging early testing is crucial for improving survival rates.
Hope on the Horizon:
Early-stage colorectal cancer is highly curable. By understanding the gut bacteria link and promoting early detection, we can potentially prevent this devastating disease in young adults.
More information:
Bowel Cancer Rates in Young People Skyrocketing: Is Gut Bacteria the Culprit?. Jihoon E. Joo et al, Intratumoral presence of the genotoxic gut bacteria pks+ E. coli, Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum and their association with clinicopathological and molecular features of colorectal cancer, British Journal of Cancer (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02554-x