First on CNN: Routine blood testing may hold hidden clues to colorectal cancer before age 45

Key Points:

• New research from Epic Research indicates that adults under 45 with lower levels of liver enzymes AST and ALT are more likely to be diagnosed with early-onset colorectal cancer, an association that challenges the typical clinical focus on elevated liver enzymes.
• Experts caution that low AST and ALT levels do not cause cancer nor warrant changes in current colorectal cancer screening guidelines, emphasizing that these enzyme levels likely reflect broader health factors such as muscle mass and nutrition.
• The study analyzed over 11,000 adults aged 18 to 44 and found those with AST or ALT levels below 14 units per liter had a significantly higher likelihood of early-onset colorectal cancer compared to peers with midrange levels, while higher enzyme levels were linked to lower cancer likelihood.
• Although the findings suggest metabolic and nutritional markers in routine blood tests may offer clues about colorectal cancer risk, the results are preliminary, not peer-reviewed, and do not support screening changes; further research is needed to understand underlying causes.
• Colorectal cancer rates are rising among younger adults, and while factors like genetics, obesity, and lifestyle have been studied, none fully explain this trend, highlighting the importance of continued investigation into potential biological markers and risk indicators.