New data has revealed that bowel cancer has now become a leading cause of cancer related deaths among individuals under the age of 50.
Experts have expressed concern over a “tsunami like” rise in cases of bowel cancer.
A study published this month by the American Cancer Society (ACS) reported that the disease, also known as colorectal cancer, is causing an unusually high number of deaths among people aged 20 to 49.
According to the alarming research, diagnoses of bowel cancer among young adults are increasing by about 3 percent each year, while 158,850 new cases and 55,230 deaths are expected in the United States in 2026.
Previous analyses have also shown that cases of bowel cancer are rising among people under 50 in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, increasing concerns about the spread of the disease.
Experts say it is now clear that colorectal cancer can no longer be considered a disease limited to older individuals.
Recent data from Cancer Research UK indicates that cancer diagnosis rates among people aged 25 to 49 in the United Kingdom have increased by 24 percent overall.
Although experts believe that population growth and improved diagnostic systems may partly explain this trend, concerns remain.
The recent ACS study analyzed cancer data and mortality rates in the United States and found that deaths from bowel cancer have been increasing by 1 percent annually since 2004.
The exact cause of this rise is still unclear, but recent research suggests that a high fat, low fiber diet can lead to constipation, causing waste to remain longer in the lower intestine, where bacteria may damage DNA in cells.
Processed meat and environmental pollutants such as pesticides may also increase exposure to potential carcinogens, which can affect the body through waste accumulating in the rectum.
Health experts say people can take several preventive measures to reduce the risk of cancer, including consuming a diet rich in plants and fiber, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and managing stress.
