Researchers, oncologists raise concerns over rising colorectal cancers among children, young adults

According to recent research, colorectal cancer, which typically affects persons 50 years of age and older, is becoming more common in children and young adults between the ages of 10 and 19.

Researchers from the University of Missouri-Kansas City conducted the study, which also revealed that the prevalence of colorectal cancer rose to almost 51% in children and 33% in teenagers.

The World Health Organisation reports that colorectal cancer, which primarily affects the colon or the rectum, is the second most prevalent cause of cancer-related deaths globally and the third most common type of cancer overall.

The WHO reported that colorectal cancer primarily affects elderly people, often those over the age of 59.

According to the WHO, a sedentary lifestyle, high consumption of processed meats, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol use are lifestyle factors that contribute to the development of cancer. Processed food intake, contamination of the environment, and alcohol and tobacco use were all contributing reasons to an increase in cancer trends worldwide.

Aminu Mohammed, a professor of paediatric surgery at Bayero University in Kano State and a researcher in congenital paediatric oncology and infections, bemoaned in the interview the rise in cancer rates among children and young adults in Nigeria.

"Cancer cases in Nigeria have been on the rise," he stated. The amount of cases we have seen in the previous five to ten years is significantly higher than the current quantity. It even applies to younger age groups in addition to individuals between the ages of 25 and 49. I treat cancer in youngsters, and it seems that more and more of them are developing the disease.

"The cancers that affect adults and children are increasing, and those that are typically associated with ageing populations are now more prevalent and frequently manifest in younger populations."

Mohammed ascribed the surge to a growth in the intake of refined foods, saying, "Those who consume refined foods, for instance, may not be passing stool every day or every other day in cases related to colon cancer." This is a result of refined foods' lack of sufficient fibre to expand the colon and trigger the urge to pass stool. Constipation is more prevalent than it used to be.

Dr. Islam Mohamed, an internal medicine resident physician at the University and the principal researcher on the study, stated, "Colorectal cancer is no longer considered just a disease of the elderly population." It indicates the existence of a trend. We're not sure what to make of it yet; heredity or lifestyle choices may be to blame, but there is a trend.”
The researchers also discovered that while incidences of colorectal cancer in those under 30 were uncommon, those over 40 also had a low incidence rate.

According to data from the 2020 Global Cancer Observatory, there were approximately 9.9 million cancer-related deaths and 18.1 million new cancer diagnoses worldwide in 2020.

Additionally, it showed that throughout a five-year period, Nigeria had 124,815 new cases of cancer, 78,899 deaths, and 23,3911 frequent cases.

Only 17,930 Americans under 50 were expected to have colorectal cancer in 2020 by the American Cancer Society.

Speaking about the study, Dr. Folasade May, an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Digestive Diseases at the University of California, Los Angeles' Vatche Tamar Manoukian School of Medicine, expressed concern about the increase in cases. Nevertheless, they pointed out that the oldest age group in the study saw the lowest percentage increase.

They claim that there will be a significant percentage rise if a few cases of a relatively rare condition in 15-year-olds are added to the initial set.

Experts are investigating whether contemporary diets, medications, or fungal infections could be the reason of the extraordinary spike, even if they have not yet identified the cause.

The report states that "a polyp, or small growth, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum—a portion of the large intestine—is typically the first sign of colorectal cancer." These polyps' cells may eventually begin to divide uncontrollably, which could lead to the development of cancer.

The study noted that "changes in bowel habits, blood in faeces, unexplained weight loss, and sudden fatigue or weakness — brought on by blood loss— can be early warning signs of the disease."

In the meanwhile, the doctor reported that nine out of ten patients with colorectal cancer survive for more than five years following diagnosis when the disease is detected, diagnosed, and treated early on. However, when the disease is detected later, the five-year survival rate drops to 71%.