To Your Health
August, 2024 (Vol. 18, Issue 08) |
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You Are What You Eat
By Editorial Staff
And younger adults are suffering the consequences of their poor dietary choices, particularly increased rates of colon cancer. Colon cancer is generally considered an older-adult disease (most cases / deaths are in the 50-and-older age group), which is why colon cancer screenings (colonoscopies) are not recommended until age 40 in healthy adults not showing symptoms.
However, in recent years new cases among adults under age 50 have skyrocketed, begging the question: What's the cause?
Diet is a major factor, suggest researchers who designed an AI algorithm that revealed differences in diet account for many young-onset vs. older-onset colon cancer cases. Among young-onset patients, researchers identified more "metabolites" – molecules linked to long-term consumption of red / processed meat. Colon cancer risk has long been associated with poor dietary choices, including red / processed meat intake.
The good news is that diet is something you can control if you're interested – and we hope you are – in minimizing your colon cancer risk. The formula is simple: More fiber (via vegetables, whole grains, etc.) and less meat, particularly the red and processed variety. Talk to your doctor for more information.
