Why is colon cancer rising in young people?
The Boston Globe••health
Key Points:
- Colorectal cancer rates among young adults under 55 have doubled since 1995, with this cancer becoming a leading cause of death in men under 50 and second for women in that age group by 2024, according to the American Cancer Society.
- Researchers, including those at Boston’s academic medical centers, are investigating potential causes such as diet and consumption of ultraprocessed foods, which a recent study linked to a 45% higher risk of precancerous polyps in women under 50.
- Despite these findings, the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer remains poorly understood, as many patients have no obvious genetic predisposition or traditional risk factors like unhealthy diets or inactivity.
- Patients like Umanita
