Colon cancer is spiking in young adults. Scientists are blaming the American diet
Obesity linked to increased risk of colon cancer
- Rates of colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers are increasing among Americans under 50, a trend also observed globally.
- Researchers suggest a leading theory for this rise is the increasing prevalence of obesity, which can cause inflammation and higher insulin levels, alongside other risk factors like diet and lifestyle.
- Individuals born in 1990 face significantly higher risks of developing colon and rectal cancers compared to those born in 1950, with early-onset colorectal cancer now a leading cause of cancer-related deaths for younger adults.
- Younger patients often experience delayed diagnoses, leading to advanced disease stages, and the condition disproportionately affects Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Asian communities.
- Ongoing research is deemed crucial to develop more effective screening, prevention, and treatment strategies for early-onset gastrointestinal cancers.