Accelerated Aging Linked to Surge in Colon Cancer Cases Among Young Adults
A growing body of research highlights a troubling trend: a surge in colon cancer among individuals under 50.
While the exact causes remain under investigation, scientists are increasingly pointing to a surprising factor – accelerated aging. This condition, where a person’s biological age surpasses their chronological age, appears to be fueled by lifestyle choices and environmental exposures, ultimately increasing the risk of colorectal cancer.
A recent study, led by Dr. Shria Kumar, a colorectal cancer specialist, examined blood samples from younger patients who had undergone colonoscopies. The findings were striking. Every additional year of accelerated aging correlated with a 16% increased risk of developing polyps, which are precursors to cancer.
“It’s pretty remarkable that multiple studies, including ours, have found that biological age provides distinct health information and could be a powerful tool for cancer prevention,” Kumar stated.
While traditional risk factors like obesity and smoking weren’t directly linked to colon cancer in the study, other contributors to accelerated aging, such as poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, pollution, and chronic stress, appeared to play a significant role.
Researchers also noted the rise of ultra-processed food consumption and lifestyle changes as concerning factors.
This discovery aligns with a global surge in colon cancer cases among younger adults. Data from the National Cancer Institute reveals a 50% increase in this age group over the past three decades. In response, U.S health authorities now recommend starting colon cancer screening at 45, with some experts advocating for even earlier screening.
Similar concerns are echoed in the U.K., where screening is available to those aged 54 to 74. Bowel cancer currently claims nearly 17,000 lives annually in the U.K., and projections suggest deaths could increase by an additional 2,500 each year by 2040.
Despite these grim statistics, experts emphasize that colorectal cancer is highly preventable.
“What’s truly exciting about the opportunity with colorectal cancer is that we have a clear prevention strategy,” Kumar said. “Colonoscopy isn’t just early detection; it’s also cancer prevention.”
Other screening methods, like at-home stool tests, offer more convenient options, but early detection remains crucial. For younger patients, symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, and blood in the stool are often overlooked, leading to later-stage diagnoses.
The research also suggests a potential generational trend in accelerated aging. Younger cohorts, including Gen Z, may face even higher risks due to evolving lifestyles and environmental exposures.
Professor Ilaria Bellantuono of Sheffield University noted: “We don’t know enough to say for certain that younger generations are aging faster or why … but it’s certainly possible. We’re seeing more diseases in younger people, the kinds of diseases we might normally expect to develop in older adults.”
