Latest news with #earlyOnsetCancer
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Australia sets grim new world's worst cancer rate - as the possible reasons for the surge in cases are revealed
Young Aussies have been warned they are facing a 'stark reality' and to be vigilant for symptoms as cases of a serious form of cancer surge. New research from the University of Melbourne unveiled this week revealed that bowel cancer diagnoses have more than doubled for Australians below the age of 50 over the last three decades. The study found that more than 28,265 Aussies aged 20-49 were diagnosed with 49 early-onset bowel cancer between 1990 and 2020. The authors suggested that, during the same period, there has been an increase in cases which resulted in an additional 4347 diagnosed with the early-onset condition. Bowel Cancer Australia advocate Stephanie Bansemer-Brown was 42 when she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2012. 'The GP dismissed my symptoms as haemorrhoids and put my tiredness down to being a busy mother of a toddler,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday. 'I knew something wasn't right with my body so eventually I insisted on a colonoscopy.' Ms Bansemer-Brown was diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer and had extensive surgery followed by chemotherapy. 'I am lucky I pushed for further investigation otherwise my now-teenage son would have been without a mother. That is the stark reality,' she said. Earlier this year, a global study published in The Lancet found Australia has the highest rates of early-onset bowel cancer in the world, with a faster surge in cases found among women. But Professor Mark Jenkins from University of Melbourne's colorectal cancer unit has warned the cause of the increasing number of cases remains unclear. 'More and more people are diagnosed with early-onset bowel cancer each year and we don't know why,' he told ABC Radio National. 'Probably the strongest theory at the moment is it's something to do with the bacteria in our gut, which we call the microbiome... Maybe they've become more toxic.' Professor Jenkins and his colleagues have also looked at theories centred on trends of increasing obesity and decreasing physical activity among Australians. He also suggested there are theories focused on the decline in aspirin use during childhood, which protects people from the cancer, and the presence of microplastics in food. 'But it could be something else completely. It could be an unknown factor that we haven't thought of,' he said. Professor Jenkins and other advocates have urged Aussies to be aware of 'red flags' ahead of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month in June. Those aged 45-49 are eligible for the national bowel cancer screening program which helps with diagnosing cases. Younger Aussies are also urged to be vigilant for symptoms including blood in stool, changes to bowel habits and unexplained or unexpected weight loss or tiredness. Twelve years since her diagnosis, Ms Bansemer-Brown shared her story to raise awareness. 'You are never too young for bowel cancer and I encourage everyone to recognise the signs and symptoms,' she said. 'You must be a champion for your own health and if you are not happy with the response then seek another opinion. 'You know your body better than anyone.'
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Australia's bowel cancer rates are world's highest for under 50s. Scientists wonder if the gut microbiome is to blame
Australia's rates of bowel cancer in people under 50 are the highest in the world, though the reason why remains unclear, experts say. As incidences of what's known as early-onset bowel cancer are increasing worldwide, a study of 50 countries – published recently in Lancet Oncology – revealed Australia was ranked worst. An early release of findings from an Australian study published in medRxiv this week showed the incidence of bowel cancer is up to three times higher among Australians born in the 1990s compared with the 1950s cohort. The study, led by the University of Melbourne, analysed government data on all diagnoses of bowel cancer (also known as colorectal cancer) in Australia from 1990-2020. The study, yet to be peer-reviewed, found 28,265 cases of early-onset bowel cancer over the 30 years studied. An estimated 4,347 additional cases were attributable to the rising rates of the disease. While over 50s make up the majority of diagnoses since the most significant risk factor for cancer is age, these rates have begun to decline. National screening was lowered from 50 to 45 in 2023. Early-onset cases, however, are increasing by up to 8% per year, the study found. Dan Buchanan, an associate professor and co-author on the medRxiv paper, said Australia's world-leading rates of early-onset bowel cancer were 'not a good gold medal to have'. He said there was no solid evidence, only 'guesses' as to what had changed over time. The cancer registries where the data came from did not capture individual-level risk factors, which was a limitation of the study, authors said. While rising rates of obesity, diabetes and increasingly sedentary lifestyles have been hypothesised to be contributing to the increase, Buchanan said he and other researchers were particularly interested in the role of the gut-microbiome. 'We think that the lifestyle dietary changes are … allowing nasty bacteria to colonise in our gut, and that then is contributing to the development of a substantial proportion of early onset bowel cancer.' Buchanan said Australians' diets could be playing a role. Compared to other nations, Australians have high consumption rates of processed foods which increasing evidence indicates negatively affects the microbiome. Increased antibiotic use in childhood and other changes to how humans get their foods, including pesticides and microplastics, have also been proposed as reasons, but more research is needed, Buchanan said. Buchanan and his colleagues are attempting to 'work backwards' from analysing the tumours to understand the source of the DNA damage, and to discover a mechanism rather than just an association driving the disease. In the absence of that knowledge, it is important to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms, Buchanan said, particularly among young people. Bowel cancer is now the leading cause of death in people aged 30 to 45 in Australia. Julien Wiggins, the CEO of Bowel Cancer Australia, said she was concerned about the rising early onset cases. 'The data is now starting to really unfortunately confirm what we've been seeing and catching up.' Dr Lisa Mielke, the head of the mucosal immunity and cancer laboratory at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, said: 'This is one of the most comprehensive studies to break down the characteristics of this increase in bowel cancer using data from Australians. 'The study highlights that it is not just one type of bowel cancer that is on the rise in younger people. Overall, the incidences of bowel cancers in all regions of the large bowel, rectum and anus are increasing,' Mielke said.
Al Bawaba
18-05-2025
- Health
- Al Bawaba
WCM-Q researchers probe links between insulin resistance and colorectal cancer
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q) have explored the possible links between insulin resistance and early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) in a new article published in Cancer Cell (Cell Press), a leading scientific journal. Cancer, regardless of type, is generally considered a disease that occurs later in life, typically after 50-60 years of age. Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), USA, indicates that the median age of a cancer diagnosis is 66. However, more recently, younger individuals under the age of 45-50 have been diagnosed with cancers (early-onset cancers; EOCs). Although this shifting trend in cancer epidemiology has been reported previously, this occurrence gained significant attention in early 2024, with many major news outlets and research/medical institutions reporting a rise in EOCs. Among the various EOCs, gastrointestinal cancers, particularly colorectal cancer (CRC), seem to be rapidly increasing among the younger population. This trend appears similar for countries in the MENA region, including Qatar. "As cancer researchers, we were captivated by the question of 'why this is happening?'" said Prof. Dr. Dietrich Büsselberg, professor of physiology and biophysics, one of the co-corresponding authors of the article. "It is well known that genetic mutations that cause CRC and hereditary CRC-associated syndromes are highly penetrant and increase the risk of CRC. However, it is unlikely that this risk factor alone has changed so dramatically in successive generations of the population to account for the significant increase in EOCRC in recent years. Dr. Samson Mathews Samuel, research associate in physiology and biophysics and co-corresponding author of the article, said: 'Our in-depth review of existing literature led us to identify a possible culprit behind this occurrence, namely insulin resistance. Our study, therefore, examined the mechanisms through which insulin resistance may facilitate the development of colorectal cancer, particularly in younger populations.' A growing body of evidence points to insulin resistance, a hallmark of common metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome, as a possible key risk factor contributing to the incidence and progression of EOCRC. Insulin resistance, defined as the inability of cells to respond to normal insulin, results in hyperinsulinemia (an increase in circulating insulin levels in the blood) much earlier in life than is typically recognized. This is because the possible early signs of insulin resistance usually go unnoticed, and blood tests for insulin resistance are not commonly done as a routine screening measure unless obesity, pre-diabetes/diabetes, or metabolic syndrome have been diagnosed. While several studies link obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome to the risk and progression of CRC, insulin resistance as a risk factor in its own right is often overlooked. Surprisingly, insulin resistance can drive metabolic changes very early in life and depends on several early-life external factors to which the individual is exposed. 'For example, the overuse of antibiotics or supplements disrupts the microbiome of a pregnant mother, leading to insulin resistance that could also affect the fetus,' said Prof. Busselberg. Environmental factors and minor dietary and lifestyle choices may contribute to insulin resistance, which can play a role in the occurrence of EOCRC. Ms. Elizabeth Varghese, a senior research specialist, is the other author of the paper, titled 'Complexity of insulin resistance in early-onset colorectal cancer'. The paper also infers that managing insulin resistance through dietary and/or lifestyle changes and therapeutic interventions is likely to be effective in reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer among young individuals. The study was made possible through funding from the Biomedical Research Program at Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar and NPRP-Standard (NPRP-S) 14th Cycle grant NPRP14S-0311-210033 from Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation).
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Figuring out what could be causing more cancer in younger adults
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Experts are working hard to figure out what is driving a growing trend of early onset cancers, those in people under 50. 'We just don't know what is causing this concerning increase in early onset cancers. There are steps you can take and things you can cut out of your life to potentially lower your risk,' explains Yale Early Onset Cancer Program Co-Founder Dr. Nancy Borstelmann.'It's been alarming because it's been showing up across a number of cancer populations.' Experts on what to watch out for with growing cancer cases in younger people The questions experts are desperately trying to answer is why this is occurring. 'The why is a critical question. It's being researched by many across the nation and globe,' explains Dr. says that research includes digging into factors like genetics, environmental and lifestyle.'We know there are a lot of toxins, but how much is this increasing your risk of getting breast cancer? Doing the best you can at using more naturally beauty products, whole foods,' says young breast cancer survivor Meagan Schroder of is reevaluating her lifestyle choices after being diagnosed with breast cancer at 30 after the birth of her son.'I'm more aware now. I definitely was like 50% I paid attention to the fruits and vegetables. But cosmetics and beauty products. I didnt really pay attention to what are the chemicals they're putting in fragrances or deoderant, i just used whichever one works,' explains you're unsure what's in your beauty products and foods there are a number of free apps that can help. Just scan your item for a breakdown of of the biggest risk factors are tobacco, obesity and drinking. Just this year the U.S. Surgeon General issued a 22-page advisory warning of a link between alcohol use and to that advisory more than 741-thousand cancer cases worldwide were attributed to alcohol conspumption in 2020. Doctor Borstelmann says it's important to take a look at your lifestyle as a whole…And remember you can do everything right and still face a devastating diagnosis…'Sometimes things go ary even in ways you dont expect. Could be someone whos lived a very healthy, done all the right things so to speak,' says Dr. Borstelmann. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
