Ultra-processed foods under scrutiny in colon cancer research
Researchers are uncovering new clues behind the growing incidence of colorectal cancer among people under 50, suggesting the disease may differ biologically from cases traditionally diagnosed in older adults, reports a Qazinform News Agency correspondent.
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago, where scientists highlighted evidence linking early-onset colorectal cancer to modern lifestyle and environmental factors.
“Something is just not the same with these early-onset colon cancer patients,” Dr. Deepak Vadehra, chief of gastrointestinal oncology at ChristianaCare Health System told Business Insider. “The why - that's what we want.”
Researchers increasingly believe that young-onset colorectal cancer represents a distinct disease, potentially driven by chronic inflammation, dietary changes and disruptions to the gut microbiome.
A study led by Dr. Ning Jin of The Ohio State University compared tumors from younger and older patients and identified 11 genes that appear more frequently in younger cases.
“Our study showed that early-onset colorectal cancer is a biologically unique disease,” Jin said. “The cancer behaves differently.”
According to Jin, inflammatory pathways linked to modern diets rich in ultra-processed foods and omega-6 fatty acids may play a role in making tumors more aggressive. Her latest research suggests that such foods may activate an “inflammatory metabolic pathway” associated with cancer development.
Scientists are also focusing on the role of gut bacteria. Researchers have identified potentially harmful strains of E. coli that appear more frequently in tumors from younger patients.
“In the last 50 years we've become a lot cleaner,” said cancer geneticist Rachel Purcell. “We need to be exposed to microbes to develop a healthy, functioning immune system.”
“Looking at microbiomes, they've just become so much less diverse, and that just makes us vulnerable,” she added.
Although the research remains in its early stages, experts recommend reducing consumption of ultra-processed foods, increasing fiber intake and avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use. They hope the emerging findings will eventually lead to better screening tools and earlier detection of colorectal cancer in younger adults.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that a study involving adults with obesity suggests successful weight loss may depend on changes in both the gut microbiome and the brain, offering new insights into how intermittent fasting affects the body.
