A team of scientists has discovered the leading cause of cancer death among Americans under the age of 50 — and this is due to the lifestyle each person adopts.
O colorectal cancer develops from a cell or group of cells in the inner lining of the intestinal wall, with more than 90% These tumors occur in people over 40 years of age.
Although cancer deaths in adults under 50 have decreased 44% in the last thirty years, colorectal cancer bucks this trend. Deaths in this age group have increased by approximately 1,1% per year since 2005.
It has now surpassed lung and breast cancer to become the leading cause of cancer death among Americans under age 50.
According to , incidence and mortality rates in adults over 65 continue to decline for all types of cancer, however, the story is not the same in younger age groups.
In two reports published in January by the American Cancer Society, researchers noted that people born recently appear to face a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer than previous generations at the same age.
“The steady increase in deaths from colorectal cancer in people under 50 is even more alarming when compared with the dramatic declines in lung and breast cancer, even as the incidence of breast cancer is rising,” reveals the study’s first author, Rebecca Siegel.
The American Cancer Society estimates more than 158 mil cases of colorectal cancer in the US, and the incidence among adults aged 20 to 49 has been increasing by about 3% per year.
A combination of factors related to lifestyle, metabolism and the environment may be the cause of this situation, although no specific cause has been confirmed.
Younger adults smoke less than their predecessors, which should reduce their risk. However, since mid- 20th centuryhumans have been exposed to new environmental factors.
Diets are strongly characterized by ultra-processed foods, red meat e refined sugarswhile lacking essential fiber from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These foods are not only bad for the digestive system, they also alter the microbial balance inside the intestine.
A obesity It has also been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Additionally, exposure to microplastics and frequent antibiotic use can affect inflammation, metabolism, or the gut microbiome in ways that increase the risk for this disease.
Scientists also call on the early medical follow-up taking into account that three out of four patients under the age of 50 are only diagnosed when the cancer is already in progress advanced stage.
“Early diagnosis can also be achieved through greater awareness for colorectal cancer symptoms, such as blood in the stool, abdominal pain, diarrhea or fatigue, which can often be confused with other health problems”, the authors conclude.
