Posted on 11/13/2025 12:57:43 PM PST by Red Badger
Colorectal cancer is striking younger adults at alarming rates, driven by lifestyle and genetic factors.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) develops when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the colon or rectum, forming tumors that can eventually invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body. It typically begins as small, benign growths called polyps, which can take years to become cancerous.
Globally, CRC ranks among the top three most common cancers, affecting millions of people each year.
Traditionally viewed as a condition that primarily affects older adults, it is now emerging in far younger populations, raising growing concern among doctors and researchers.
Surge in Early-Onset CRC
A study published in The Lancet Oncology has revealed a sharp rise in colorectal cancer diagnoses among adults under 50. Between 2013 and 2017, 27 of the 50 countries studied reported growing rates of early-onset cases. While North America and Europe continue to show high incidence, similar trends are now appearing across Eastern Europe, South-Central and Southeastern Asia, and South America.
Experts suggest that this shift may be linked to modern dietary habits, urbanization, and environmental influences. Preventive measures such as earlier screenings, improved nutrition, and greater public awareness are seen as essential to reversing the trend. Without these interventions, researchers warn that cases could continue to climb in the coming decades.
Life Factors Fuel Rise
Multiple studies suggest that modern eating patterns are contributing to the surge. High consumption of ultra-processed foods, red and processed meats, and sugary drinks has been linked to increased inflammation and a greater vulnerability to cancer.
For example, a study from Kazakhstan found that participants consumed nearly twice the World Cancer Research Fund’s recommended weekly limit of 500 grams of meat. Moreover, only 8.6% of respondents met the recommended intake for fish, highlighting potential nutritional deficiencies that may further elevate cancer risk.
Obesity, another key risk factor, has also been linked to CRC. Excess body fat promotes chronic inflammation and disrupts metabolic processes, yet the full extent of obesity’s role may be underestimated. A review of 18 studies found that many CRC patients experience unintentional weight loss before diagnosis, meaning traditional measures of obesity’s impact could be complex.
Genetics Drive Inherited Risk
Early-onset CRC is frequently associated with hereditary cancer syndromes, including Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis, according to Dr. Alexei Tsukanov, head of the Laboratory of Genetics at the National Medical Research Center for Radiology. These conditions result from genetic mutations in tumor-suppressor genes, increasing the likelihood of developing CRC at a young age.
Early detection is critical, yet many individuals ignore warning signs such as persistent changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain.
Dr. Tsukanov stated the importance of genetic testing for families with a history of CRC. “Identifying a hereditary mutation allows us to implement lifelong clinical monitoring and early intervention, significantly improving survival rates,” he explains.
Innovative technologies like BGI Genomics’ COLOTECT Stool DNA Methylation Test identifies CRC-related genetic markers (SDC2, ADHFE1, and PPP2R5C) through stool DNA analysis, offer a promising solution for non-invasive early detection.
Public Awareness for Early Screening
In many nations, including those in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, CRC screening programs are inconsistent. Some countries, such as Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, and Georgia, have structured national screening initiatives, while others rely on opportunistic testing, leading to gaps in early detection.
“To improve early detection, we must educate both healthcare providers and the public about the importance of screening,” says Jemma Arakelyan, an advisor at the Immune Oncology Research Institute and CEO of The Institute of Cancer and Crisis in Armenia.
References:
“Colorectal cancer incidence trends in younger versus older adults: an analysis of population-based cancer registry data”
by Hyuna Sung, Rebecca L Siegel, Mathieu Laversanne, Chenxi Jiang, Eileen Morgan, Mariam Zahwe, Yin Cao, Freddie Bray and Ahmedin Jemal, 11 December 2024, The Lancet Oncology.
DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00600-4
“Self-reported consumption frequency of meat and fish products among young adults in Kazakhstan”
by Venera Akhmetova, Yuriy Balji, Yelena Kandalina, Ainara Iskineyeva, Akmaral Mukhamejanova, Akmaral Baspakova, Yassin Uzakov, Kuralay Issayeva and Galia Zamaratskaia, 1 July 2024, Nutrition and Health.
DOI: 10.1177/02601060221114230
Reference:
“Is the association of overweight and obesity with colorectal cancer underestimated? An umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses”
by Marko Mandic, Hengjing Li, Fatemeh Safizadeh, Tobias Niedermaier, Michael Hoffmeister and Hermann Brenner, 21 January 2023, European Journal of Epidemiology.
DOI: 10.1007/s10654-022-00954-6
Colorectal cancer is no longer just a disease of the elderly. It is increasingly affecting younger adults, largely due to unhealthy lifestyle choices. This growing trend calls for urgent action from governments, healthcare professionals, and individuals to promote awareness, improve diets, encourage healthier lifestyles, and expand access to early screenings. The time to act is now.
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...In terms of vaccine type, cDNA vaccines were associated with the increased risks of thyroid, gastric, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers; mRNA vaccines were linked to the increased risks of thyroid, colorectal, lung, and breast cancers; and heterologous vaccination was related to the increased risks of thyroid and breast cancers. Given the observed associations between COVID-19 vaccination and cancer incidence by age, sex, and vaccine type, further research is needed to determine whether specific vaccination strategies may be optimal for populations in need of COVID-19 vaccination.
Bold is mine.
I call BS on the red meat. Processed meat is a different matter.
So the long and short of it is, the more processed it is, the worse it is for you.
Carlin was right (after all, he didn’t die of Cancer)
Everybody needs a little cancer I think. It’s good for you. Keeps you on you’re toes. Besides, I ain’t afraid of cancer...I had broccoli for lunch. Broccoli kills cancer. A lot of people don’t know that, it’s not out yet. It’s true. You find out you got some cancer...(click) get yourself a bowl of broccoli. That’ll wipe it right out in a day or two. Cauliflower too.
Cauliflower kills the really big cancers. The ones you can see through clothing from across the street. Broccoli kills the little ones. The ones that are slowly eating your way from inside...while your goofy, half-educated doctor keeps telling you, “your doing fine Jim.”
In fact bring your doctor a bowl of broccoli. He’s probably got cancer too. Probably picked it up from you. They don’t know what they’re doing, it’s all guesswork in a white coat. Here, let me have a few more sips of industrial waste. Ahh, maybe...maybe I can turn them cancers against one another.
That’s what you gotta hope for you know, that you get more than one cancer so they eat each other up instead of you. In fact, the way I look at it, the more cancer you got, the healthier you are.
“butt sex”
That is Rectal Cancer that can be caused by frequent unprotected anal sex.
I suspect that the recent popularity of gay butt sex and anal in general is driving this.
Sadly, this is due to the drop in cigarette smoking.
And they know this because..........????
Based on the 1975 beginnings (50+/- yr ago) What started happening then? That was pre cell phones and computers, anything in vaxes? Polio vax? I really have no idea.
Boswellia and turmeric can lower your odds.
Jab!
Vax!
Vaxx!
Mrna!
Maybe that will bring them running.
I ladled some chum onto the keyword list, too.
Lifestyle choices - like getting multiple jabs of a largely untested concoction.
Diet, exercise, genetics oh AND
they never seem to mention
ANAL SEX
“ Anal sex can transmit the human papillomavirus (HPV), and HPV in turn leaves the cells around our rectum more vulnerable to mutating and becoming cancerous. A similar risk exists wherever HPV rears its ugly microscopic head, including the mouth, throat, and cervix. And because anal sex is generally more damaging to the inner lining of the rectrum than the stereotypical notion of heterosexual sex is to the vagina, HPV and other sexually transmitted infections are more easily spread between people who engage in anal sex. Similarly, the greater number of sexual partners, the greater the risk of cancer.”
Men AND women and it’s all the rage. Thanks Porn!!
I am well above “retirement age” and have got here by substituting alternatives for prescriptions. I research everything. I still go to see the doctor twice a year to satisfy Medicare but have not used any prescription meds for 30 years. The doc I see has long given up arguing with me about meds. I do not take injections except the pain killers when I have been all busted up in the hospital. I still work. I keep the Medicare on the chance I have that heart attack or stroke.
polyps...
Unsulphured black strap molasses prevents polyps.
can anyone here give me an actual logical definition of “processed” food?
The so called “gold standard” colonoscopy is shit. A fraud.
There has never been a follow up clinical trial to see how many colon cancers are missed. And, performed every 10 years it always can be explained away.
The only way to protect yourself from colon cancer is Cologuard DNA test every three years and FIT in each year in between.
Well, you are very fortunate to still be able to work. I dragged along until my body failed after a texter plowed into the back of my Corolla at an intersection. I was the only other car on the road. Got whiplash in a section of my neck the VA had operated on previously for an Army injury. Having partial paralysis and a numb R side from the accident meant no driving and no work.
I gave up on private care as it was too expensive. I use the VA and have a great doctor. But they are overworked. I appreciate the VA very much tho. I just tell them No on some things and they’re respectful.
When I needed special care to my neck for a broken nerve inside the spinal cord I went to Malaysia and payed cash. It’s worked and I’m back to walking 1.5 miles 3x a week. I’ll take it. If I fall when doing yard work I have to crawl to a nearby tree and pull up with that. Not old enough for Medicare. I think I have to leave the US to live a good life. I’m just stuck here decaying. As soon as my walking improves and I’ve fixed up my house I’m out. Hopefully travel but likely settle in SE asia as they still have a work ethic, not a mooch ethic. I’ve worked W-2 jobs since 1974. I remember the college workers in the restaurant I worked at talking about the savings program that became the 401K. Even they understood the importance of early investment, compound interest and saving. 52 years was enough. I just didn’t need the car accident to force me to retire.
Best of luck!
I take magnesium and zinc supplements every day!.............
My last colonoscopy last year showed NO POLYPS for the first time in over ten years!............
Spam, hot dogs, bologna, sausages, peperoni, salami, pastrami, pastas, anything with wheat, sugar, potted meats just to name a few...................
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