The type of cancer that increasingly affects young people

Cancer is no exception. It can affect anyone, regardless of age. In the case of young adults, there is one type of cancer that is on the rise and is expected to continue to grow.

This is colorectal cancer, a disease traditionally associated with older people. However, rates in people under 50 have increased in recent decades.

What is colorectal cancer?

Let’s start by defining cancer. The National Cancer Institute states that it is “a disease in which some cells in the body multiply without control” and spread to other parts of the body.

As for colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society describes it as the type of cancer that originates in the colon or rectum. It may also be called colon cancer o rectal cancer, based on where they originate. These are often grouped together because they have common characteristics: both originate in the digestive system, they grow slowly over years, and most of these types of cancers begin as a growth called a polyp, which may not be cancerous at first.

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Why is colorectal cancer on the rise in young people?

Juan W. Zinser Sierra, advisor to the UNAM Foundation and former collaborator of the Faculty of Medicine, told Gaceta UNAM that there is no clear situation regarding the factors that have caused this increase, so various speculations have arisen.

More than 400 scientists prominent figures from universities, industry and government, in conjunction with patient advocatesmet in September 2020 to discuss the identification of risk factors and causes of colorectal cancer in young adults. The factors related to each other were found to be the unhealthy diet, bacteria in the gut (gut microbiota), and inflammation.

Unhealthy diets (especially high in processed meats and fats and low in fruits and vegetables) are associated with overweight and obesity, which increase the chances of developing early-onset colorectal cancer.

Likewise, various studies carried out highlight that Spending more time watching television is associated with a higher risk of early-onset colorectal cancerThis is associated with the risk of leading a sedentary lifestyle.

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On the other hand, the microbiota intestinal may be related. There are certain types of bacteria that are complicit in the multiplication and dissemination of colorectal cancer, and some even affect the effectiveness of certain cancer treatments.

According to a laboratory study, toxins from some bacteria that are commonly found in the intestine caused cancer in the intestines of mice. In addition, some drugs such as antibiotics can change the number and types of bacteria in the intestine.

Gut microbiota and unhealthy diet are associated with inflammationwhich is the body’s reaction to injury, irritation, or disease. A few bacteria found in the gut can intensify inflammation. This generates harmful chemicals that cause DNA mutations and stimulate cancer.

The specialists added that the chemicals In the environment, there could be factors that cause it, such as air and water pollution, chemicals in the soil and food, as well as the use of pesticides.

Medical organizations recommend starting colorectal cancer screening earlier, at age 45 instead of 50. Constant monitoring combined with a healthy lifestyle can increase the chances of survival.