'Important' new risk factor for bowel cancer uncovered as cases surge in young
Being overweight in childhood and adolescence has been identified as a significant risk factor for developing bowel cancer in later life, according to a new study.
Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a major health concern in the UK, with nearly 44,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Worryingly, over 2,600 young people are diagnosed with the disease each year, as reported by Bowel Cancer UK.
Researchers have described the rising incidence of bowel cancer among younger people as a "global phenomenon", with England experiencing some of the steepest increases. While factors such as a poor diet, alcohol consumption, and smoking have been linked to this trend, the latest research highlights another crucial risk factor. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
The study found that being overweight during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood - as well as having a higher birth weight - is associated with an increased risk of developing bowel cancer. Dr Helen Croker, Assistant Director of Research and Policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, said: "Cancer is a complex disease which develops over several decades, so better understanding of its early origins is critical for more effective prevention efforts and understanding the research gaps.
"The results of this study show that raised body mass index across childhood through young adulthood is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer," reports the Manchester Evening News.
Researchers in the Netherlands have found that a higher early life BMI could be linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer in adults, reviewing data from 37 studies examining body weight in children and cancer risk later in life. They discovered that an increase in BMI of 5 kg/m2 raised the risk of bowel cancer by 12 per cent in individuals aged 18 to 25.
For adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years, a higher BMI correlated with a 5-18 per cent elevated risk of the disease. Furthermore, in young children aged two to nine years, a greater BMI was also associated with an increased likelihood of developing colon cancer.
The study also revealed that each kilogram of birth weight could be associated with a 9 per cent increased risk of bowel cancer. While the findings do not establish a causal link between BMI in early life and the development of bowel cancer, it points to a significant association that necessitates further investigation to comprehend what may be driving this connection.
Dr Dieuwertje Kok, associate professor of nutrition and cancer at Wageningen University and Research, noted: "Although the relationship between adult body size and colorectal cancer risk is well-documented, the potential influence of measures of body size during early life is less understood.
"The team was excited to review results from 37 publications that explored birth weight, as well as body mass index across different early life stages.
"This study bridges the existing knowledge gap and enhances our understanding of how early life factors may affect colorectal cancer risk in adults."
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