Colon cancer is increasingly affecting younger populations worldwide, transcending economic boundaries between rich and poor nations. A recent study published in Lancet Oncology highlights a significant rise in early-onset colorectal cancer across highly industrialized regions of North America and Europe, as well as in middle-income countries globally.
“We found this trend is not just about high-income, Western countries,” said Hyuna Sung, the lead author and cancer researcher. “It reaches parts we didn’t see before, such as South America and Asia.”
Between 2013 and 2017, colon cancer rates among young people increased in 27 out of 50 countries examined by Sung’s team. Although the study included only one African nation, Uganda, it provides some of the most comprehensive and recent data on global colon cancer rates. The findings reveal increasing incidences among young people in countries like Turkey, Ecuador, and Chile.
However, the trend is not uniform across all nations. In the United States, while colon cancer rates among older adults are declining, early-onset cases continue to surge. Some countries, such as Italy, Spain, and Latvia, have shown relatively stable rates over the years.
Scientists are beginning to understand how modern diets and lifestyles may contribute to this phenomenon. “Fundamentally, our diet has changed,” noted Associate Professor Ganesh Halade from the USF Heart Health Institute in Florida, who was not involved in the study. Halade’s recent research indicates that ultra-processed foods can fuel colon cancer by disrupting the immune system and increasing inflammation.
“It’s very obvious the way that this disease trend is going on right now,” he said. “We need to go back and consider our diet, sleep, and exercise.” The correlation between a country’s wealth and the risk of colon cancer in young people remains evident. Nations with some of the steepest increases in under-50 colon cancer cases include Australia, New Zealand, the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
According to the study authors, “Children and adolescents in these highly industrialized and urbanized countries were probably among the earliest to adopt detrimental dietary exposures and sedentary lifestyles associated with economic wealth.” This suggests that prolonged periods of inactivity and consumption of convenience foods may be linked to the rising cancer rates.
Inflammation appears to be a key factor, as it creates an environment where cancer can develop more easily. Halade recommends more sleep, physical activity, and home-cooked meals as potential mitigating factors.
The uptick in early-onset colon cancer among individuals born after 1950 points to lifestyle and environmental exposures affecting Generation X, millennials, and Generation Z differently than previous generations. Conversely, increased cancer screenings and reduced smoking have contributed to declining colon cancer rates among older adults in many affluent countries.
Another recent study suggests that modern diets rich in confectionery, sugary drinks, and processed foods lack essential healthy fats and nutrients needed to control inflammation. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids—such as leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts, and seeds—may help prevent the inflammatory processes that lead to cancer. While diet is a significant factor, genetics, family history, and environmental exposures like air pollution and microplastics also play crucial roles in an individual’s risk level.
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