Bowel cancer rates among young people are increasing globally, with a common gut bacterium potentially to blame. Emergency departments are seeing more undiagnosed cases of advanced bowel cancer in individuals who don’t fit the typical profile: they’re young, healthy, and without a family history of the disease.
Data shows that over a dozen types of cancer, including breast, lung, and ovarian cancers, are rising in adults under 50. This phenomenon is known as early-onset cancer. Researchers have identified childhood exposure to E. coli O157:H7, a common gut bacterium, as a possible factor contributing to this trend.
As bowel cancer rates rise, it’s essential to raise awareness about the potential risks and encourage screenings for those in their 20s and 30s.
Source: https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/04/30/rates-of-bowel-cancer-are-rising-among-young-people