Latest news with #SaraChar
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'Western diet' blamed for growing risk of GI cancers among young adults
The rates of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are rising among young adults, with a new peer-reviewed study pointing to the American diet and lifestyle as the primary culprits. The rising risk in younger generations may be linked more to environmental factors than genetics, stated the report, which was recently published in the British Journal of Surgery. "Some shared risk factors for early-onset (EO) GI cancer include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking," lead researcher Sara Char, M.D., at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, told Fox News Digital. Rare Cancer Diagnoses Surge Dramatically Among Millennials And Gen X The study notes that recent generations are more likely to adopt a "Western-pattern diet" and a "sedentary lifestyle." Colorectal is the most common type of early-onset GI cancer, but pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, biliary, appendiceal and neuroendocrine cancers are also rising in adults under 50, Char noted. Read On The Fox News App Adults born in 1990 have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer compared to those born in 1950, according to a previous study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Paul Oberstein, M.D., director of the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Program at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, told Fox News Digital that a person's diet does indeed impact the risk of colon cancer. Your Favorite Alcoholic Beverage Could Be Linked To Deadly Form Of Cancer, Study Finds "It is reported from previous studies that when someone has a higher amount of foods typical of a Western diet, they have a higher risk of colon cancer," said Oberstein, who was not involved in the research. A "Western diet" typically includes a higher intake of red and processed meats, processed and added sugars, and highly processed and refined grains, according to the oncologist. Processed deli meats, sugary drinks and processed grain snacks are also commonly associated with this type of diet. While the incidence of colon cancer in this group overall remains low, Oberstein recommends investing in more research to explore which factors are causing the increase. "We need to conduct more research on whether diet, vitamin supplements, alcohol or other things we ingest or use are contributing to this increase," he said. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter The expert also emphasized the importance of following the recommended colon cancer screening guidelines, which begin at 45 years old for most people, and seeking medical attention if any symptoms appear. Common warning signs include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained back or abdominal pain, or unintentional weight loss, all of which warrant speaking to a doctor for an "urgent evaluation," according to Char. For more Health articles, visit The researcher added that younger individuals can take preventative measures such as not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol, limiting red meat consumption, staying physically active and maintaining a healthy body article source: 'Western diet' blamed for growing risk of GI cancers among young adults Solve the daily Crossword
Fox News
16-07-2025
- Health
- Fox News
'Western diet' blamed for growing risk of GI cancers among young adults
The rates of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are rising among young adults, with a new peer-reviewed study pointing to the American diet and lifestyle as the primary culprits. The rising risk in younger generations may be linked more to environmental factors than genetics, stated the report, which was recently published in the British Journal of Surgery. "Some shared risk factors for early-onset (EO) GI cancer include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking," lead researcher Sara Char, M.D., at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, told Fox News Digital. The study notes that recent generations are more likely to adopt a "Western-pattern diet" and a "sedentary lifestyle." Colorectal is the most common type of early-onset GI cancer, but pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, biliary, appendiceal and neuroendocrine cancers are also rising in adults under 50, Char noted. Adults born in 1990 have twice the risk of colon cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer compared to those born in 1950, according to a previous study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Paul Oberstein, M.D., director of the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Program at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, told Fox News Digital that a person's diet does indeed impact the risk of colon cancer. "It is reported from previous studies that when someone has a higher amount of foods typical of a Western diet, they have a higher risk of colon cancer," said Oberstein, who was not involved in the research. A "Western diet" typically includes a higher intake of red and processed meats, processed and added sugars, and highly processed and refined grains, according to the oncologist. Processed deli meats, sugary drinks and processed grain snacks are also commonly associated with this type of diet. While the incidence of colon cancer in this group overall remains low, Oberstein recommends investing in more research to explore which factors are causing the increase. "We need to conduct more research on whether diet, vitamin supplements, alcohol or other things we ingest or use are contributing to this increase," he said. The expert also emphasized the importance of following the recommended colon cancer screening guidelines, which begin at 45 years old for most people, and seeking medical attention if any symptoms appear. Common warning signs include changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, unexplained back or abdominal pain, or unintentional weight loss, all of which warrant speaking to a doctor for an "urgent evaluation," according to Char. For more Health articles, visit The researcher added that younger individuals can take preventative measures such as not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol, limiting red meat consumption, staying physically active and maintaining a healthy body weight.
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Millennials born in 1990 are twice as likely to get colon cancer as Boomers born in 1950 — and that's not the worst of it
Early-onset colorectal cancer rates are surging around the world, and Millennials are in the crosshairs. According to a study published in the British Journal of Surgery, early-onset colorectal cancer, defined as cases diagnosed before age 50, has risen dramatically among both sexes in the US since the mid-1990s. While colon cancer is traditionally linked to older adults, diagnoses among younger people have skyrocketed in recent years. Advertisement Researchers explain that in comparison to adults born in 1950, those born in 1990 are twice as likely to develop colon cancer — and a whopping four times more likely to develop rectal cancer. And folks, it gets worse. 3 While colon cancer is traditionally linked to older adults, diagnoses among younger people have skyrocketed in recent years. Nataliya – Partially due to the assumption among care providers and patients that colorectal cancer is a disease for the elderly or middle-aged, young people tend to be diagnosed in the disease's later stages, making it harder to treat and cure. Advertisement Researchers note that younger patients are more likely to receive aggressive treatments and, due to their life stage, are faced with unique challenges in navigating care and survival. These younger patients, often diagnosed in their peak earning and reproductive years, are more likely to experience financial hardship and difficulty starting or expanding their families. Early-onset survivors are more likely to experience anxiety, sexual dysfunction, and body image issues than their older counterparts. Advertisement These recent findings are in line with a Centers for Disease Control analysis that found a 185% increase in colorectal cancer among people between 20 and 24 and a 333% increase among people between 15 and 19. Rates of early-onset colorectal cancer, the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer, are also rising in high-income countries beyond the US. An inventory of 20 European countries showed a significant spike in cases of early-onset colorectal cancer from 2004 to 2016. 'The incidence of GI cancers in adults younger than age 50 is rising globally,' said the paper's lead author, Sara Char. 'Ongoing research efforts investigating the biology of early-onset GI cancers are critical to developing more effective screening, prevention, and treatment strategies.' Due to the rise in younger cases, the US Preventive Services Task Force updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines in 2021, lowering the recommended age to begin screening from 50 to 45 for adults of average risk. Advertisement 3 Rates of early-onset colorectal cancer, the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer, are also rising in high-income countries beyond the US. Crystal light – And we may need to lower it further, as a new study from Taiwan found that initiating colorectal cancer screening at 40 can reduce cases by 21% and deaths by 39% compared to starting screening at 50. Early-onset colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related death for men under 50 and the second-leading cause for women under 50 in the United States. 'It's been pretty alarming to all of us,' Dr. Coral Olazagasti, an assistant professor of clinical medical oncology at the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, previously told The Post. 'In the past, you would think cancer was a disease of the elderly population. But now we've been seeing trends in recent years of people getting diagnosed with cancer earlier and earlier.' Early onset colorectal cancer disproportionately affects Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Asian populations, with those of Native American descent reporting the highest rate of colorectal cancer of any racial and ethnic group. Among that number is Utah-based influencer Tanner Martin, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 25 and lost his five-year battle with the disease in June. Advertisement 3 Utah-based influencer Tanner Martin, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer at 25 and lost his five-year battle with the disease in June. The Washington Post via Getty Images A National Cancer Institute analysis from 1973 through 2009 revealed that 16.5% of American Indians/Alaska Natives, 15.4% of Hispanics, 12% of Asians/Pacific Islanders, and 11.9% of Black patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50, compared to only 6.7% of non-Hispanic white patients. Oncologists have suggested that the concerning rise in early onset diagnoses and deaths could be due to obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, the Western diet, excess sugar consumption, and environmental factors such as pollutants in the air, soil, and water. Advertisement A 2019 study found that US women with a BMI over 30 had close to double the risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer compared to women with lower BMIs. More recently, a groundbreaking 2025 study suggested that colibactin, a toxin produced by certain strains of E. coli, may be behind the recent surge in early-onset colorectal cancer cases. 'We believe this exposure occurs very early in life — likely during the first decade — when children are infected,' Dr. Ludmil Alexandrov, senior study author and a professor at the University of California, San Diego, told The Post. The CDC predicts that by 2030, early-onset colorectal cancer will become the leading cancer-related cause of death for people aged 20 to 49.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The American diet is being blamed for a worrying rise in colon cancer
Rates of colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers are rising in Americans under the age of 50, researchers said Tuesday. They may know why. An increased risk of early-onset gastrointestinal cancers is associated with obesity, which is also rising in the U.S. That's what scientists say is a 'leading theory' for the surge - noting a 2019 study that found women who were considered obese had nearly double the risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer. Close to half of all U.S. adults are predicted to be obese by 2030, according to research released the same year. The chronic condition can cause inflammation and higher levels of insulin that increases peoples' risk of getting cancer, including several types of gastrointestinal cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other risk factors include smoking, drinking alcohol, eating a Western-style diet and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Earlier this year, new research pointed to the impact of a toxin in the gut, known as colibactin, that can inflict DNA damage on colon cells that leads to the development of cancer. Colibactin is produced by the bacteria E. coli, which is often responsible for foodborne illness. As of now, the specific cause remains unclear but the U.S. is not alone, researchers said. 'The incidence of GI cancers in adults younger than age 50 is rising globally,' explained Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute oncology fellow Dr. Sara Char. In the U.S., scientists found that early-onset cases have shown a 'marked increase' in both American men and women since the mid-1990s. In comparison to American adults born in 1950, those born in 1990 have twice the risk of developing colon cancer and four times the risk of developing rectal cancer, the researchers found. Furthermore, early-onset colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in U.S. for men under 50. For women in the same age group, it's the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Colorectal cancer, the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer, also affects Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Asian people disproportionately. These and other related findings signal a worrying shift — and potentially a need for updated treatment practices, the researchers noted. Patients with early-onset colorectal cancers often experience delays in diagnosis because neither doctors, nor their patients, suspect cancer and doctors are more likely to diagnose patients when they are at advanced stages of the disease. Younger patients are more likely to receive aggressive treatment, 'often without a survival advantage,' they said. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American men and the fourth-leading cause in women. Overall, it's the second most common cause of U.S. cancer deaths, and the American Cancer Society says it's expected to cause about 52,900 deaths this year. The researchers pointed out that younger patients are more likely to experience financial hardship because of their diagnosis and problems with body image and mental health, as well as a worse quality of life. 'Ongoing research efforts investigating the biology of early-onset GI cancers are critical to developing more effective screening, prevention, and treatment strategies,' Char, the paper's lead author, said. The paper was published by Oxford University Press in the journal BJS.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Colon cancer is spiking in young adults. Scientists are blaming the American diet
Rates of colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers are rising in Americans under the age of 50, researchers said Tuesday. They may know why. An increased risk of early-onset gastrointestinal cancers is associated with obesity, which is also rising in the U.S. That's what scientists say is a 'leading theory' for the surge - noting a 2019 study that found women who were considered obese had nearly double the risk of developing early-onset colorectal cancer. Close to half of all U.S. adults are predicted to be obese by 2030, according to research released the same year. The chronic condition can cause inflammation and higher levels of insulin that increases peoples' risk of getting cancer, including several types of gastrointestinal cancers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other risk factors include smoking, drinking alcohol, eating a Western-style diet and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Earlier this year, new research pointed to the impact of a toxin in the gut, known as colibactin, that can inflict DNA damage on colon cells that leads to the development of cancer. Colibactin is produced by the bacteria E. coli, which is often responsible for foodborne illness. As of now, the specific cause remains unclear but the U.S. is not alone, researchers said. 'The incidence of GI cancers in adults younger than age 50 is rising globally,' explained Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute oncology fellow Dr. Sara Char. In the U.S., scientists found that early-onset cases have shown a 'marked increase' in both American men and women since the mid-1990s. In comparison to American adults born in 1950, those born in 1990 have twice the risk of developing colon cancer and four times the risk of developing rectal cancer, the researchers found. Furthermore, early-onset colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in U.S. for men under 50. For women in the same age group, it's the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Colorectal cancer, the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer, also affects Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and Asian people disproportionately. These and other related findings signal a worrying shift — and potentially a need for updated treatment practices, the researchers noted. Patients with early-onset colorectal cancers often experience delays in diagnosis because neither doctors, nor their patients, suspect cancer and doctors are more likely to diagnose patients when they are at advanced stages of the disease. Younger patients are more likely to receive aggressive treatment, 'often without a survival advantage,' they said. Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in American men and the fourth-leading cause in women. Overall, it's the second most common cause of U.S. cancer deaths, and the American Cancer Society says it's expected to cause about 52,900 deaths this year. The researchers pointed out that younger patients are more likely to experience financial hardship because of their diagnosis and problems with body image and mental health, as well as a worse quality of life. 'Ongoing research efforts investigating the biology of early-onset GI cancers are critical to developing more effective screening, prevention, and treatment strategies,' Char, the paper's lead author, said. The paper was published by Oxford University Press in the journal BJS.
