This Common Diet Staple Might Be the Reason Behind Rising Bowel Cancers – Find Out How!

A troubling health trend has doctors concerned: more and more young people are being diagnosed with bowel cancer. In the past 30 years, the number of people aged 25 to 49 with this deadly disease has surged by 52%, according to recent studies.

Leading experts in bowel health are now investigating what could be causing this rise. Three specialists, in particular, have shared their insights and raised some alarming possibilities.

One potential factor, according to Dr. Michelle Hughes, a gastroenterologist at Yale Medicine, could be the chemicals we’re exposed to daily. These chemicals are found in everything from food containers to the fruits and vegetables we eat. Known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, these substances are tiny airborne particles and chemical pollutants that disturb the delicate balance of bacteria in our intestines.

Dr. Hughes explained, “This could cause inflammation and stress that can lead to cancer.” She also pointed out that people born after 1950 might be at a higher risk due to the increased exposure to environmental changes and pollutants over their lifetimes.

Among the most concerning chemicals are pesticides used in agriculture. These substances are commonly found on fruit and vegetables, and researchers are becoming more worried about their potential impact on health. A study published in Frontiers in Cancer and Society suggested that exposure to agricultural pesticides could increase cancer risk in ways similar to tobacco smoke.

The chemicals used to control pests often remain on produce, meaning we could be unknowingly consuming them over time. Researchers from Colorado’s Rocky Vista University studied 69 different pesticides, including some widely used in the UK, such as glyphosate and the weedkiller 2,4-dichloroacetic acid. Their findings showed a troubling link between pesticide exposure and a higher incidence of bowel cancer.

The study also found connections between pesticide exposure and the development of other cancers, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and cancers of the bladder, colon, lung, and pancreas. However, the researchers emphasized that while there’s an association, they did not prove that pesticides directly cause cancer.

Experts also point to poor diet as a major factor behind the rising cases of bowel cancer. Diets high in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) like sugary drinks, crisps, and sweets are linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer. These foods not only promote weight gain, which is a known cancer risk factor, but they also lack essential nutrients like fiber, which is crucial for a healthy digestive system.

Professor Tim Spector, a renowned nutrition scientist and founder of the Zoe diet app, emphasized the importance of a diet rich in fiber. He told Newsweek, “When it comes to protecting yourself against bowel cancer, it’s not just about avoiding the bad stuff, but also giving your body food that helps it thrive.”

Fibre helps regulate bowel movements and reduces the time harmful substances are in contact with the colon, lowering the risk of cancer, Professor Spector explained. Eating a variety of fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts can be an essential step in promoting long-term bowel health.

Another factor contributing to the increase in young bowel cancer diagnoses could be greater awareness of the disease. The late Dame Deborah James, who tragically passed away from bowel cancer at the age of 40 in 2022, helped raise public consciousness about the disease. Improved diagnostic techniques also mean that more young people are being tested and diagnosed.

But Dr. Anne Mongiu, a colorectal surgeon at Smilow Cancer Hospital in the US, warned that common symptoms of bowel cancer—such as changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, fatigue, and abdominal pain—are often mistaken for less serious conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Dr. Mongiu urged everyone to recognize these warning signs and seek medical attention as soon as possible. The sooner bowel cancer is detected, the better the chances for effective treatment.

As cases of bowel cancer continue to rise among younger populations, experts agree that a combination of environmental factors, diet, and increased awareness could be contributing to the trend. While much remains to be understood, these insights are a crucial step in tackling this growing public health concern.