The number of bowel cancers is increasing worldwide, especially among young people. The reason for this is poor food choices.
Poor diet increases bowel cancer in young people. Adobe Stock / AOP
More and more often in Finland, people who get colon cancer are under the age of 50.
According to an estimate by JAMA Surgery, between 2010 and 2030, colon cancer would increase worldwide by up to 90 percent among 20-34-year-olds. Rectal cancer is predicted to increase by 124 percent in the same age group.
In Finland, the situation of colon cancer has been monitored in people under the age of 50.
What is the situation with young intestinal cancers in Finland, research manager of the Finnish Cancer Registry Karri Seppä?
– Even in Finland, there is an increase in the incidence of colon and rectal cancer in people under the age of 50. The growth rate of bowel cancer in people under the age of 50 is 1.6 percent per year. In a 10-year time span, the growth is 17 percent. In Finland, it is known that there is more growth in younger age groups than in older ones, i.e. over 50 years old.
What explains this worrying development?
– There is a lack of information about the underlying causes of colon cancer patients at a young age. But it is known that the current obesity trend is largely behind it, says Seppä.
In addition to obesity, bowel cancer risk factors include low-fiber food, a lot of red meat, and a diet containing animal fats and processed meat products.
A decrease in the amount of exercise, smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are also risk factors behind bowel cancer.
“Concern”
The diet is a whole, i.e. when one ingredient in the food decreases, another increases. For example, ultra-processed foods, i.e. industrially processed food, usually have a lot of hard fat, but no dietary fibers.
– The most reliable evidence for intestinal cancer is the lack of fiber in the diet. On the other hand, abundant consumption of red meat and fatty products increases the risk of intestinal cancer. The diet is always a whole, and in terms of research it can be difficult to separate different factors, Seppä points out.
The development in young people’s bowel cancer worries the expert.
– Many things related to the way of life are such that they are already adopted as a child and young person. Of course, it is worrying that the development is reflected in the incidence of cancer among young people. It can be thought that the growth will later be transferred to the parents as well.
It is important to go to the doctor based on the symptoms, reminds the research manager of the cancer registry. Adobe Stock / AOP
Important screening
Intestinal cancer screenings started nationwide in Finland at the beginning of 2022. Screenings now cover people in their 60s and 70s. By 2031, screening will be expanded to include all 56-74 year olds. Intestinal cancers are most common in this age group.
– That’s exactly the age when the risk of bowel cancer increases. Screenings are very important because they detect cancer at an early stage, says Seppä.
The self-performed test at home is sent by post to a laboratory, where the stool is searched for blood secreted by a possible cancerous tumor. Screening aims to detect intestinal cancer in the symptomless early stage. The goal is to reduce deaths caused by colon cancer. Participation in the screening is free of charge for the person being screened.
The effectiveness of the screening is weakened by the fact that not all those entitled to the screening participate in it. It would be worth it, because the prognosis for recovery in intestinal cancer is about 80 percent if the cancer is found at an early stage.
Intestinal cancer refers to either colon or rectal cancer. It is the most common cancer found in both sexes. According to cancer organizations, more than 3,800 new bowel cancers are diagnosed in Finland each year.
And should younger people also be screened for bowel cancer?
– At a younger age, it’s not that simple. It doesn’t make sense to start mass screening because cancers are so rare in younger people. The most important thing is to go to the doctor based on possible symptoms, advises Seppä.
In the early stages, colon cancer can be almost asymptomatic. Common signs can include, for example, bloody stools, changes in the functioning of the stomach, fatigue, pain or a lump and sudden weight loss. Clear changes in stomach function are always a reason to see a doctor.
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