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North Wales Live
3 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."
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Doctors discover vital new clue in search for cause of mystery bowel cancer explosion in under 50s
Being overweight as a child, teenager, and young adult has been found to increase your chances of developing bowel cancer as an adult, new research suggests. If you were born at a higher weight you are also more likely to develop the disease, the study found. This research plays an important role in better understanding the early origins of cancer, because it is a complex disease which develops over several decades. In young people between the age of 10 and 19, an increased BMI was linked to was linked to a 5-18 per cent 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 nine per cent 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. 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. 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.'
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Gastroenterologist shares 4 simple ways to lower your stomach cancer risk: 'Eat broccoli, garlic and…'
Stomach cancer is the 5th most common cancer worldwide, the World Cancer Research Fund states. It is the 4th most common cancer in men and the 7th most common cancer in women, with India ranking 3rd in the highest stomach cancer incidence list in 2022. Also Read | Happy birthday, Suhana Khan: When Shah Rukh's daughter revealed beauty secret she inherited from Gauri Khan Though the cancer is relatively common, you can lower its risk by following simple lifestyle habits. According to Dr Saurabh Sethi, an internal medicine doctor and gastroenterologist, there are four ways with which you can lower your stomach cancer risk. In a video shared on May 21 on Instagram, Dr Sethi listed the 4 evidence-based habits that one can easily adapt into their lifestyle. A post shared by Saurabh Sethi (@ Dr Sethi suggested including cruciferous vegetables in your daily diet. He suggested, 'Eat cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. These are rich in sulforaphane, which is a cancer-fighting compound.' The second tip is to add garlic to your diet. According to Dr Sethi, garlic contains allicin. It is a defence molecule from garlic which has also been shown to have anti-cancer properties in preclinical studies. According to a report in the National Library of Medicine, in mammalian cell lines, including cancer cells, allicin induces cell death and inhibits cell proliferation. Dr Sethi suggested limiting the intake of processed meats like sausages and bacon, as they are linked to a higher risk of stomach cancer. Lastly, he stressed that if you're suffering from persistent upper abdominal discomfort or indigestion, get tested for H. pylori or Helicobacter pylori. Per the gastroenterologist, H. pylori is a major risk factor for stomach cancer. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
South China Morning Post
26-02-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Breast milk proteins show even more promise against bladder cancer, cystitis in new trials
A potential cancer cure that uses a replica of a protein found in human breast milk has even greater results when given in higher doses, new clinical trials show. Advertisement Alpha1H is a drug synthesised from alpha-lactalbumin, the most common protein in human breast milk, bound to a fatty acid known as oleic acid. In a recent study, it showed complete or partial response in triggering rapid tumour-cell death in 88 per cent of early-stage bladder cancer tumours. It was developed by Hamlet BioPharma, headed by Swedish professor Catharina Svanborg of Lund University Sweden, who made the accidental discovery of the breast milk molecule's cancer-fighting potential in 1995 There were more than 610,000 new bladder cancer cases and more than 220,000 deaths globally in 2022, according to the World Cancer Research Fund. China had the highest number of new cases, at more than 92,000, and 41,000 deaths. Bladder cancer has a high recurrence rate and there is no cure. Professor Catharina Svanborg of Lund University Sweden discovered the potential of breast milk in the fight against cancer in 1995. Photo: Catharina Svanborg 'We are looking at how to alleviate the situation for bladder cancer patients with newly diagnosed cancer, and how to hopefully prevent the tumour from getting worse and how to make surgery easier,' Svanborg says. Advertisement The breast-milk protein used in Alpha1H 'is a very interesting molecule because it's broadly active against many different types of tumour cells. So in a future scenario, we are hoping that it could be helpful for many different types of cancer.'
