Doctors warn of three new factors driving young people's colon cancers

New warnings have sounded over three factors potentially driving a spike in young Americans' colon cancer cases.

Health stats are ringing alarm bells as forecasts show a staggering 90% jump by 2030 in colon cancer among those in their 20s and 30s. Besides the commonly blamed poor diets and obesity, new findings point to other dangers that even health-conscious youngsters might face.

Analyzing over 160 pieces of research, it's been suggested that pesticides in our grub, toxins in our water, and dirty air can mess with gut bacteria, causing inflammation. Experts believe this might be knocking out good cells and letting the nasties turn cancerous.

A doctor sheds light on the confusion about why seemingly 'everything' is accused of 'causing cancer'.

These environmental culprits are also thought to have been upping early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) numbers for yonks, all thanks to increased exposure since the 1950s. Published in the Heliyon journal, this study argues forcefully: "Consequently, there is a pressing need for enhanced environmental policies aimed at minimizing exposure to pollutants, safeguarding public health, and mitigating the burden of EOCRC.", reports the Mirror US.

A research team from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman has found that a lifetime of exposure to factors such as food, antibiotics, and chemicals can alter the gut microbiome, leading to an increase in harmful bacteria over beneficial ones. The team focused on the rising incidences of colorectal cancer in younger generations, examining environmental exposures in individuals born after 1950.

The study revealed that fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is too small to be filtered out by the nose and mouth, triggers inflammation in the colon. This inflammation has been shown to promote the growth of cancer cells and hinder the immune system's ability to combat them.

Recent data from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities indicates that PM2.5 is most prevalent in southeastern and Appalachian states like Ohio, West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. These states also have some of the highest rates of early-onset colorectal cancer, according to statistics from the National Cancer Institute.

West Virginia, Kentucky, and Louisiana also had the highest rates of the disease.

The spotlight has been thrown on health research following the disclosure last month by 'Dawson's Creek' star James Van Der Beek that he has colorectal cancer. The actor opened up about his struggle with the diagnosis in a heartfelt Instagram post, explaining that his approach to health became more serious after discovering his condition.

Speaking with People magazine, Van Der Beek revealed he had initially ignored changes in his bowel habits, thinking it was due to drinking coffee, until he decided to get help from a doctor.

Following his physician's advice, James Van Der Beek went ahead with a colonoscopy and remembers feeling relieved after the procedure: "I felt really good coming out of anaesthesia, that I'd finally done it."

Yet, his sense of relief was short-lived, as his gastroenterologist softly informed him it was cancer, to which he recounted: "Then the gastroenterologist said - in his most pleasant bedside manner - that it was cancer. I think I went into shock."