There is a disturbing trend within the medical world, seeing a rise in young people being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and it is affecting Black folks disproportionately. Now, a recent study might have just unearthed a major reason why, and we’re going to lay it all out for you.
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According to the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), colorectal cancer is both the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Statistics show 1 in 24 men and 1 in 26 women are expected to develop the disease in their lifetime. These figures reflect a 2% annual increase in colorectal cancer for young adults between the ages of 20 and 39 since the mid-1990s, according to the CRI.
When you narrow the numbers further, the risk for young Black Americans is even more severe. The American Cancer Society reports the risk of developing the disease is 20% higher for us, with a 40% higher mortality rate compared to other races.
But what has caused this stark rise among young Black adults? The short answer is that there is no single definitive cause. Scientists have studied a range of hypotheses, from birthing methods to changing lifestyle habits, but one theory has stood out above the others.
According to Business Insider, the cause of colorectal cancer could be traced back to the first six months of life. Studies suggest that a shift in newborn dietary habits, including an increase in processed foods and a decrease in fiber-rich ingredients, can lead to an increase in rates of colibactin – a toxin produced by a specific strain of E. coli found in over half of colorectal tumors. This can lead to colorectal cancer nesting in the bodies of infants, only to be discovered two or three decades later when those children become young adults.
A similar trend linked to ultraprocessed foods has been seen in previously healthy young adults. Business Insider notes that foods that spike insulin or glucose, such as juice, soda and energy drinks, can lead to a higher risk of colorectal cancer. Conversely, a fiber-rich diet helps generate metabolites—substances formed during metabolism—that help suppress colon cancer.
A study published by the medical journal JAMA Oncology revealed that among 29,105 female nurses who underwent a lower endoscopy, those with a diet relying heavily on ultraprocessed foods had a 45% higher chance of developing early-onset colorectal cancer. This supports the idea that a cleaner diet can help prevent young adults from developing the disease.
Although these studies show promising findings regarding the concerning surge in colorectal cancer rates, scientists stress that dietary habits are not the only answer, and further research is ongoing.
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