8 October 2024
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20241004-the-puzzle-of-rising-early-onset-breast-and-colorectal-cancer-in-younger-people
Here are the top nine suspected factors, according to this article:
Obesity and metabolic syndrome
Ultra-processed foods
High sugar and processed food consumption
Sleep pattern changes
Artificial light exposure (including streetlights and mobile devices)
Microplastics exposure
Increased antibiotic use
Gut microbiome disruption
Opportunistic pathogens (e.g., Fusobacterium nucleatum and E. coli)
These factors are all being investigated as potential contributors to the rise in early-onset cancers among younger populations.
Looking more closely at the last two:
The argument concerning gut microbiome disruption and opportunistic pathogens like Fusobacterium nucleatum and E. coli is based on how alterations in the balance of gut bacteria can lead to increased cancer risk.
Gut microbiome disruption: Antibiotic overuse and poor diet (high in ultra-processed foods) can alter the natural balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This disruption may impair the immune system's ability to detect and eliminate abnormal cells, increasing cancer susceptibility.
Opportunistic pathogens: Certain bacteria, like Fusobacterium nucleatum and E. coli, can thrive when the gut microbiome is out of balance. These pathogens may promote cancer by invading gut tissues, driving inflammation, and even causing DNA damage, leading to the development and progression of cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.
This interaction between the microbiome and harmful bacteria highlights the importance of gut health in cancer prevention.
