4 Possible Reasons Of Bowel Cancer

 

Deaths from bowel cancer in people under 50 are rising. However, there is a fall in deaths from other forms of cancer. Researchers have been making an assessment for the past 10 years. They found that out of 50 countries, 27 countries had a rise in this form of cancer, mostly among the middle-aged group.

It is still a mystery if there is a single reason or multiple factors driving the rise in cancer cases. In fact, the researchers reveal that they are exploring multiple hypotheses and they are in need of more data. Let’s discuss these 4 theories behind bowel cancer.

·       Gut Bacteria

Cancer takes time to develop. It may consume years or decades in the transition from initial DNA damage to the formation of a tumor. A toxic enzyme called colibactine can give the strongest explanation for early-onset bowel cancer. This enzyme is capable of inflicting distinct patterns of DNA damage on cells in the colon. Such damage is too hard to repair.

It's assumed that a proportion of the population acquires these enzymes in their guts when they are young. Cancer may develop in them many decades later, with the passage of time, as they are made more vulnerable to experiencing DNA damage.

Researchers also found that the chances of DNA mutations are 3.3 times higher in people under 40 years when compared with people over 70.

·       Obesity

Adolescent obesity may lead to the early onset of bowel cancer. This disease may also develop in people with health conditions such as metabolic syndrome or type two diabetes.

Metabolic changes and chronic inflammation are promoted through excess body fat, which includes elevated insulin and related growth factor signaling. Growth of precancerous polyps and cancer in the colorectum is encouraged by excess body fat. Yes, people under 50 are overweight or obese, but this alone cannot explain the increase in bowel cancer.

·       Ultra Processed Foods

A diet rich in ultra-processed foods might be playing a role in the development of bowel cancer. The immune system is deregulated with regular consumption of ultra-processed food.  There is a risk of early onset bowl cancer because ultra-processed food also fuels the growth of pro-inflammatory gut microbes like Fusobacterium nucleatum. This may help the tumors evade the immune system's surveillance.

·       Environmental Toxins

Environmental toxins such as micro and nano-plastics can also play a role in the development of bowel cancer. Study reveals that plastic particles are capable of changing the composition of the microbiome. Experts speculate that some role is played in the development of bowel cancer at a young age if plastic is accumulated in the gut. It is also a fact that plastics are carriers of harmful bacteria and chemicals that they carry, though plastic is not treated as toxic.

·       What could be a Potential Solution

Phage therapy could be a possible solution for this disease, where viruses are delivered into the gut. These viruses feast on colibactine, and they produce bacteria that stop the production of this toxin in its tracks.

 In another solution, probiotics can be designed to nurture the growth of useful gut microbes, which can fight the colibactine-generating pathogens.