Red Mead & Sugar Linked To Colon Cancer
- New evidence from the Cleveland Clinic suggests that ingesting red meat and sugar could be linked to the rise in young-onset colorectal cancer.
- More and more younger people are developing colorectal (colon or rectal) cancer, which claimed the life of “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman at just 43.
- Research published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians discovered that the proportion of cases in people younger than 55 years old “increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019.”
- Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, tellsSurvivorNet, “Colon cancer is considered a silent and deadly killer. What happens is people often don't know that they have colon cancer. They don't have any symptoms. That's why we screen for colon cancer in the United States.”
- Screening includes a colonoscopy and is recommended for all people beginning at 45, though people are encouraged to discuss their individual circumstances and risk factors with their doctor to determine the best screening schedule.
More and more younger people are seeing an onset of colorectal (colon or rectal) cancer, which claimed the life of “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman at just 43, and doctors haven’t been sure why.
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The study’s research team looked at samples of metabolites (a substance formed from metabolism), leading them to find significate differences in the break-down of protein and carbohydratessuggesting that ingesting red meat and sugar could be linked to young-onset colorectal cancer.Expert Colon Cancer Resources
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“The way we use our carbohydrates to make our energy; the way we use proteins and amino acids from our diet and other exposures, it was really a very strong relationship with cancer incidence,” Suneel Kamath, MD, a gastrointestinal oncologist at Cleveland Clinic and senior author of the new research, said in a statement.
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“It's really something that's not been described before in colorectal cancer at all.”
Although more research is needed on this subject, Dr. Kamath said the evidence obtained is enough to suggest people reduce their intake of meat and sugar.
“Certainly, limiting red meat consumption for sure. We've known that as a risk factor for colorectal cancer for a long time. And so, I would certainly say our data supports that,” Dr. Kamath said.
“Additionally, we know that obesity is a big risk factor for developing any cancer, including colorectal cancer. So, we think that the findings we showed with carbohydrate and energy metabolism probably relate to that to some degree as well.”
In an earlier interview with SurvivorNet Marisa Gholson, a Physicians Assistant at Compass Oncology, offered some insight into this topic, saying, “We get questions all the time about whether they should cut out dairy or sugar or soy. And basically what I tell patients is that you should eat a well-balanced diet.
“There's not great evidence that cutting out sugar or dairy or soy is going to slow down or reverse the growth of your cancer. So I think just making sure that you're getting the nutrition that you need."
Colon Cancer: A Silent Killer
Dr. Heather Yeo, a colorectal surgeon and surgical oncologist at Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian, previously told SurvivorNet, “Colon cancer is considered a silent and deadly killer.
“What happens is people often don't know that they have colon cancer. They don't have any symptoms. That's why we screen for colon cancer in the United States.”
The Rate of Colon Cancer is Increasing in Those Under 50
“You should be screened for colon cancer, even if you have no family history. Once you have your initial screening colonoscopy, if there are no polyps and you have no high-risk factors, usually once every 10 years is fine,” she advises.
“Colon cancer is a slowly progressing cancer. If you have any family history of colon cancer, you should be screened about 10 years before your family member had colon cancer. So if you have a family member that was 53, you should be screened at 43.”
Colon Cancer Becoming More Common in Young People
The average age people are diagnosed with colon cancer is 68 for men and 72 for women, as per the American Cancer Society. Actress Kirstie Alley passed from the disease at 71 in 2022.
But people much younger are increasingly being diagnosed, researchers have warned.
“We know rates are increasing in young people, but it's alarming to see how rapidly the whole patient population is shifting younger, despite shrinking numbers in the overall population,” cancer epidemiologist for the American Cancer Society Rebecca Siegel recently said.
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The National Cancer Institute reports that since the 1990s colorectal cancer cases have been rising among adults younger than 50. Research published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians discovered that the proportion of cases in people younger than 55 years old “increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019.”
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Researchers are still trying to determine why younger people are being diagnosed in greater numbers, though this new research from the Cleveland Clinic adds to the growing understanding.
Other experts point to risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity and smoking as a possible explanation for the increase.
“Some of those [risk factors] have become more common over the last 45 years, along with this rise in early-onset cases,” National Cancer Institute program director Phil Daschner explained, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Dr. Heather Yeo told SurvivorNet, “We don't know for sure why we are seeing earlier onset and death from colon cancer. It is likely a combination of factors, including diet and genetics as well as access to care and some environmental factors.”
Screening for Colon Cancer
Luckily, most colon cancers can be prevented through routine screenings. Colon cancer screenings usually involve a colonoscopy, in which a long thin tube attached to a camera is used to examine the colon and rectum.
The advantage of a colonoscopy is that your doctor can remove any polyps found during the test before they turn into cancer. If no polyps are discovered, the next screening won't be needed for about 10 years.
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A colonoscopy isn't the only colon cancer screening test. There are other options, including stool tests that detect blood or DNA, and flexible sigmoidoscopy, which checks only the lower third of your colon.
Ask your doctor whether any of these tests would be good additions to a colonoscopy, based on your risks and/or personal preferences.
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“We know that colon cancers can be prevented when polyps are found early,” Dr. Yeo added. “Lowering the screening age helps somewhat with this, but access to care is a real problem.”
The American Gastrointestinal Association lowered the recommended initial age for a colorectal screening from 50 to 45.
“The fact that we have now reduced the screening age to 45 is a huge step,” Michael Sapienza, CEO of Colorectal Cancer Alliance, told SurvivorNet in an earlier conversation.
“It will allow us to potentially screen 15 million more eligible Americans a year and will certainly save lives. I also think what it'll do is bring much-needed attention that even if you're younger than 45 you should be paying more attention. I think that's also a really important message.”
Questions for Your Doctor
If you are concerned about symptoms you’re experiencing or your risk of developing colorectal cancer, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor:
- Do you recommend I get a colonoscopy, even if I am younger than the recommended age?
- Which of my symptoms are similar to those from colorectal cancer?
- How can I prepare for the colonoscopy?
- What will the results tell me?
- When should I come back to reassess my symptoms/condition?
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Colon Cancer Symptoms and Risk Factors
Despite more young people getting diagnosed with colon cancer, people older than 50 years old are still at the greatest risk, with this age group making up about 90% of the cases.
Other risk factors for developing colon cancer include:
- Having inflammatory bowel disease
- Having a family history of colon cancer
- Not exercising very often
- Eating a diet high in meat
- Being overweight or obese
- Using excessive alcohol and tobacco
Colon cancer symptoms and warning signs include:
- Change in bowel movement
- Bloody stool
- Diarrhea, constipation or feeling the bowel does not empty completely
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constant abdominal pain or cramps
If you notice concerning symptoms or changes to your body, it's important to discuss them with your doctor promptly.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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