Latest news with #HelenCroker
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Being overweight as a child and young adult linked to bowel cancer
Being overweight as a child, teenager and young adult has been linked to a higher risk of bowel cancer in adulthood, researchers suggest. A higher birth weight was also associated with an increased chance of developing the disease, according to a study. Experts in the Netherlands reviewed 37 studies on body weight in early life and the risk of colorectal cancer - also known as bowel cancer - in adults. 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 research, which is published in the International Journal of Cancer, found an increase in BMI of 5kg/m² heightened the risk of bowel cancer by 12% in people aged 18 to 25. In youngsters aged 10 to 19, an increased BMI was linked to a 5-18% risk of developing the disease, while in children aged two to nine, BMI was linked to a higher risk of colon cancer. Meanwhile, each 1kg increase in birth weight was linked to a 9% bowel cancer risk, the study found. Dr. Dieuwertje Kok, associate professor of nutrition and cancer at Wageningen University & Research, said: "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." Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide, according to the WHO, with most cases occurring in people aged 50 and above. The analysis is part of World Cancer Research Fund International's Global Cancer Update Programme. Dr. Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, added: "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."
North Wales Live
6 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
'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."
Powys County Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Being overweight as a child and young adult linked to bowel cancer risk
Being overweight as a child, teenager and young adult has been linked to a higher risk of bowel cancer in adulthood, researchers suggest. A higher birth weight was also associated with an increased chance of developing the disease, according to a study. Experts in the Netherlands reviewed 37 studies on body weight in early life and the risk of colorectal cancer – also known as bowel cancer – in adults. 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 research, which is published in the International Journal of Cancer, found an increase in BMI of 5kg/m2 heightened the risk of bowel cancer by 12% in people aged 18 to 25. In youngsters aged 10 to 19, an increased BMI was linked to a 5-18% risk of developing the disease, while in children aged two to nine, BMI was linked to a higher risk of colon cancer. Meanwhile, each 1kg increase in birth weight was linked to a 9% bowel cancer risk, the study found. Dr Dieuwertje Kok, associate professor of nutrition and cancer at Wageningen University & Research, said: '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.' Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with almost 44,000 new diagnoses every year. The analysis is part of World Cancer Research Fund International's Global Cancer Update Programme. Dr Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, added: '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.'
North Wales Chronicle
7 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Being overweight as a child and young adult linked to bowel cancer risk
A higher birth weight was also associated with an increased chance of developing the disease, according to a study. Experts in the Netherlands reviewed 37 studies on body weight in early life and the risk of colorectal cancer – also known as bowel cancer – in adults. 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 research, which is published in the International Journal of Cancer, found an increase in BMI of 5kg/m2 heightened the risk of bowel cancer by 12% in people aged 18 to 25. In youngsters aged 10 to 19, an increased BMI was linked to a 5-18% risk of developing the disease, while in children aged two to nine, BMI was linked to a higher risk of colon cancer. Meanwhile, each 1kg increase in birth weight was linked to a 9% bowel cancer risk, the study found. Dr Dieuwertje Kok, associate professor of nutrition and cancer at Wageningen University & Research, said: '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.' Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with almost 44,000 new diagnoses every year. The analysis is part of World Cancer Research Fund International's Global Cancer Update Programme. Dr Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, added: '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.'
Glasgow Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Being overweight as a child and young adult linked to bowel cancer risk
A higher birth weight was also associated with an increased chance of developing the disease, according to a study. Experts in the Netherlands reviewed 37 studies on body weight in early life and the risk of colorectal cancer – also known as bowel cancer – in adults. 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 research, which is published in the International Journal of Cancer, found an increase in BMI of 5kg/m2 heightened the risk of bowel cancer by 12% in people aged 18 to 25. In youngsters aged 10 to 19, an increased BMI was linked to a 5-18% risk of developing the disease, while in children aged two to nine, BMI was linked to a higher risk of colon cancer. Meanwhile, each 1kg increase in birth weight was linked to a 9% bowel cancer risk, the study found. Dr Dieuwertje Kok, associate professor of nutrition and cancer at Wageningen University & Research, said: '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.' Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK, with almost 44,000 new diagnoses every year. The analysis is part of World Cancer Research Fund International's Global Cancer Update Programme. Dr Helen Croker, assistant director of research and policy at the World Cancer Research Fund, added: '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.'
