Bowel cancer rates in adults younger than 50 are on the rise in at least 27 countries, and researchers say this is alarming health experts worldwide. Our current body of research indicates that the rate of bowel cancer has approximately doubled per decade over the last 20 years. This alarming trend has led researchers to study possible unexplained causes, including childhood exposure to a well-known toxin.
In the US and UK, 30-40% of children have colibactin-producing E. coli in their intestines. Their presence in schools can create serious health risks to these young ones. In this way, colibactin displays the artistry of microbial chemical warfare, as it allows would-be dominant bacteria to suppress competitors and establish dominance. Ludmil Alexandrov, a lead researcher in the groundbreaking work, offers a dire admonition — if nothing changes, bowel cancer could become the number one cancer killer of people under 50 by 2030. We need to act now to avoid this shocking result.
It has always been thought that bowel cancer primarily affects older adults. New downstream data is documenting a concerning rise in cases among younger people. Over the past few decades, England and New Zealand have experienced some of the steepest increases in bowel cancer incidence among young adults. This trend is most concerning in Europe and Oceania. In addition, territories like Puerto Rico and countries like Chile have recently reported a similar increase.
Recent evidence suggests that early life colibactin exposure increases the risk of developing bowel cancer. Of even greater concern, especially for people younger than 50, this risk is substantial. Scientists discovered that bowel cancer patients often present with clear mutation signatures. These patterns of greater risk also correspond with increased early exposure to this neurotoxin prior to age of 10. These mutations can cause damage to DNA inside colon cells, which may result in cancerous tumors developing much later in life.
Ludmil Alexandrov emphasizes the significance of this research, stating, “We think what we’re seeing is an infection in early life that subsequently increases one’s risk for developing colorectal cancer in the future.” This point of view underscores an increasing awareness of the impact of environmental exposures in early life on health later in life.
Dr. David Scott further elaborates on the connection between colibactin and early-onset colorectal cancer: “Many early-onset colorectal cancer patients appear to have been exposed to a toxin, called colibactin, produced by some strains of the bacteria E. coli in early life.” This declaration emphasizes the importance of microbial interactions on cancer development and progression.
Amidst these scary new findings, health authorities are quick to point out that most bowel cancers continue to develop in older age groups. While tragic, the growing incidence of early-onset cases makes an urgent case for the public and scientific communities to prioritize research into preventive measures.