Dr. Jay Bosco joined The Drew Mariani Show to discuss with Drew the alarming report that colorectal cancer (CRC) is on the rise in young people. Typically, the cancer was associated with people over the age of 55. Now, people under the age of 55 account for 20% of all colorectal cancer diagnosis, according to the Cancer Research Institute (CRI)
The CRI suggests lifestyle modifications may help reduce risk. And they list “diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol use,” as some of the culprits.
The Gut
One recent study suggests the gut microbiome plays a role in colorectal cancer. The study, by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, examined the gut microbiome of individuals who had a precancerous mass (adenoma) removed from their colons. The researchers found that even a decade after removing the adenoma, many participants still had a microbiome associated with CRC risks. This was especially true for those with a poor diet and lack of physical activity, who had “microbes that are typically elevated in both adenoma and CRC patients.”
How Colorectal Cancer Develops
According to Bosco, a gastroenterologist in Green Bay, Wisconsin, cells in colon replicate every three days. Sometimes, though, this replication process isn’t perfect. And in certain cases, if one has a genetic defect, the body won’t repair the faulty replication. “That creates a cell that becomes immortalized,” Bosco said. These damaged cells can give rise to cancer.
Prevention
Thankfully, colon cancer is detectable and preventable. Bosco told Drew Mariani that colorectal cancer typically begins as a polyp. “When we have a colonoscopy, polyps are found about 40% of the time,” he told Drew. “If you remove a polyp, then you reduce the risk of developing colon cancer in the future by 60-75%. So you can actually prevent the cancer.”
While other cancer screening methods are available, Bosco calls a colonoscopy, “the gold standard…It’s the best way to detect and prevent colon cancer.”
The other less effective methods of screening include blood tests and stool-based tests, like Cologuard. If any abnormalities are found, though, a doctor will order a colonoscopy. These tests can also produce false positives — indicating abnormalities when they’re aren’t any.
Ultimately, Bosco said, “I would encourage patients to get screened. Get something.”
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