A Ticking Time Bomb: Overweight and Obesity Fuel Bowel Cancer Rise in Young Adults

Bowel cancer, once primarily a concern for older adults, is taking an alarming turn. Overweight and obesity are now linked to a rising death rate from this disease among young adults (25-49 years old) in the European Union and the UK. This trend, highlighted in a recent study published in the leading cancer journal Annals of Oncology, underscores the urgent need for action to address both weight management and early detection of bowel cancer in this age group.

Lung cancer:

Although death rates from lung cancer are decreasing in men, it remains the cancer with the highest rates for both men and women in both the EU and the UK. The researchers predict death rates in 2024 of 28 men and 13.6 women per 100,000 in the EU. This represents a 15% reduction among men since 2018, but no reduction among women. In the UK, death rates will be 19 men and 16 women per 100,000 from lung cancer, representing a 22% reduction among men and a 17% reduction among women, respectively.

Bowel cancer:

In both the EU and the UK, bowel cancer is now the second biggest killer after lung cancer among men and the third biggest killer after breast and lung cancer in women, although death rates are falling, except among UK women. Among non-smokers, it is the leading cause of cancer death in both sexes combined in the EU and UK.

Compared to 2018, overall death rates from bowel cancer in the EU are predicted to fall by 5% to 15 men per 100,000 in 2024 and by 9% to 8 women per 100,000. In the UK, they are predicted to fall by 3% to 14 men per 100,000 but will remain stable in women at about 10 per 100,000.

Breast cancer:

Death rates continue to improve in Europe and the UK for breast cancer. In 2024, the researchers predict a 6% decrease from 14 per 100,000 women in the EU in 2018 to 13 per 100,000 in 2024 and an 11% decrease from 15 to 13 per 100,000 in the UK.

Prof. Eva Negri from the University of Bologna (Italy), co-leader of the research, said: “Advances in the diagnosis of breast cancer contribute to these substantial declines in death rates, but improvements in the treatment and management of the disease are the main reasons for more people surviving.”

Pancreatic cancer:

Pancreatic cancer, which is very difficult to detect or treat successfully, is the only major cancer where no improvements in death rates are predicted for both sexes in the EU (but not the UK). It accounts for over 3% of new cancer diagnoses in Europe but for approximately 7% of cancer deaths, making it the fourth leading cause of death from any cancer.

Death rates are predicted to rise by 1.6% and 4% among men and women, respectively, in the EU. Trends are better in the UK, where they are predicted to fall by 7% among men and 2% among women.

Prof. Negri said: “Smoking is the main risk factor for pancreatic cancer, but it only partly explains the increased death rates over time. Overweight, obesity, diabetes, and heavy alcohol consumption may also play a role.”

Prof. La Vecchia concluded: “These predictions underline the importance of controlling and ultimately eliminating tobacco use. Tobacco remains responsible for 25% of all cancer deaths among men and 15% among women in the EU. Not only is it the main risk factor for deaths from lung cancer but also several other cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Controlling the rise in heavy alcohol drinking in central and northern Europe is an additional issue.

“Our predictions also highlight the importance of closing the gaps between countries across Europe in relation to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Death rates continue to be higher in Poland and other central and eastern European countries, and this is due partly to inadequate screening programs to detect cancers such as breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, as well as a lack of access to the most modern therapies.”

A Grim Forecast:

• The study predicts that death rates from bowel cancer among young adults in the UK will rise by 26% in men and a staggering 39% in women by 2024 compared to 2018. This alarming trajectory threatens the health and well-being of a generation typically considered at lower risk for this malignancy.

• This is the first time an increase in bowel cancer death rates among young adults has been predicted for the EU, further amplifying the need for a coordinated public health response across the continent.

Obesity: The Culprit Lurking Within:

While the exact mechanisms linking weight gain to bowel cancer remain under investigation, potential explanations include:

• Chronic inflammation: Excess fat tissue releases inflammatory markers that can damage cells and potentially promote cancer development.
• Hormonal changes: Obesity can alter hormone levels, particularly insulin, which may influence cancer growth.
• Changes in gut bacteria: Obesity can disrupt the delicate balance of gut bacteria, creating an environment favorable for cancer development.

A Wake-Up Call for Action:

This trend demands a multifaceted approach:

• Promoting healthy weight management: Encouraging balanced diets, regular physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices, particularly among young adults, is crucial for preventing obesity and its associated health risks.
• Early detection and screening: Raising awareness of bowel cancer symptoms and increasing access to screening programs for young adults at risk, even if they display no obvious symptoms, can lead to earlier diagnoses and improved treatment outcomes.
• Further research: Understanding the intricate link between obesity and bowel cancer in young adults will inform the development of more targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Together, we can combat this rising threat. By prioritizing weight management, early detection, and ongoing research, we can offer young adults a brighter future free from the shadow of bowel cancer.

Remember, early detection is key:

• Be aware of potential bowel cancer symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain.
• If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor promptly for diagnosis and potential screening.

Let’s work together to break the link between obesity and bowel cancer, ensuring a healthier future for generations to come.