A recent study has uncovered a potential link between childhood or adolescent exposure to a toxin produced by certain strains of E. coli, which thrive in highly processed diets, and the development of aggressive bowel cancers later in life. This discovery sheds light on the alarming increase in cases of bowel cancer among younger individuals, projected to become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this demographic by 2030.
Professor Justin Stebbing of Anglia Ruskin University, a leading figure in the research, asserts that the surge in colorectal cancer among the under-50 population is one of the fastest-growing cancer epidemics of our time. The study involved analyzing the DNA of nearly 1,000 bowel cancer tumors, revealing a distinct ‘fingerprint’ associated with mutation caused by certain strains of E. coli, which was found to be 3.3 times more common in people under 40 compared to those over 70.
Additionally, the research suggests that these mutations often manifest within the first decade of a person’s life, implying that the toxin may silently colonize children’s guts and initiate cancerous changes early on. The study also found that countries with rising colorectal cancer rates exhibit higher levels of colibactin-related mutations.
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The findings open up possibilities for new prevention strategies, such as screening programs targeting younger adults carrying high-risk bacterial strains, with the use of stool tests to detect colibactin genes. Moreover, diets high in fiber and low in processed foods are believed to promote a healthier gut microbiome, potentially suppressing harmful bacteria. The implications of the study also lend weight to calls for lowering colorectal cancer screening ages worldwide, given that many early-onset cases currently go undetected under existing guidelines.
While the study marks significant progress, lingering questions remain. The reasons why some people carry colibactin-producing bacteria but never develop cancer, and how modern lifestyle factors amplify or mitigate these microbial risks, are among the ongoing mysteries. However, it is evident that cancer arises from the intricate interplay between genes and the environment, indicating the need to consider it not only as a genetic or lifestyle disease, but also as a microbial one.
This emerging view of cancer, not just as a genetic or lifestyle disease, but as a microbial one, could have far-reaching implications for future generations, fundamentally reshaping how we approach prevention.
This article was written for The Conversation.