A team of government-funded researchers from leading universities in the US and UK is launching an urgent investigation into the surging rates of colon cancer among young people. With up to $25 million in funding over five years, the team aims to unravel the underlying causes behind this alarming trend.

The researchers will focus on analyzing stool and cells from patients diagnosed with colon cancer, as well as exploring the relationship between diets and the formation of tumors. While factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and junk food consumption are suspected to contribute to the rise, more unconventional theories propose links to fungal infections or antibiotics.

Statistics reveal that colon cancer cases among adults under 50 in the US have increased by 50 percent since 1999. Globally, cases in this age group have risen by a staggering 80 percent in the past three decades, reaching 3.26 million cases in 2019 compared to 1.82 million in 1990. Countries such as Ecuador and Korea are witnessing substantial spikes, with an estimated annual increase of five percent in colon cancer cases among young adults.

If current trends persist, researchers suggest that by 2030, colon cancer will become the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in individuals under 50 in the US. Already, it is the number one cause of cancer deaths in men and the second leading cause in women. Remarkably, it has risen from the fourth position in the late 1990s.

To address this pressing issue, a consortium of scientists led by Massachusetts General Hospital and Washington University, in collaboration with Dr. Tim Spector from King's College London, will spearhead international studies. Dr. Spector, a renowned dietitian, will specifically investigate how dietary changes can impact cancer risk, given the complex relationship between nutrition and the gut microbiome.

The ultimate goal of the research is to provide valuable insights that can help inform preventative measures and potentially reduce the risk of developing colon cancer. With conditions such as colon cancer often receiving less research attention, this endeavor is considered a pivotal opportunity to better comprehend the risk factors and enhance prevention strategies.

The study, known as Team PROSPECT, secured their research grant from Cancer Grand Challenges, an organization funded by the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Maryland, and Cancer Research UK in London. Additional grant recipients are exploring solid tumors in children and investigating immune system-based therapies for cancer treatment.

Young individuals who have battled colon cancer, such as Evan White, 24, from Dallas, and Marisa Maddox, 29, from Delaware, are bringing attention to this rising issue. Evan's diagnosis came after graduating from the University of Arkansas, while Marisa's treatment has unfortunately left her unable to have another child.

Multiple factors are suspected to contribute to the rise in colon cancer rates among young people, including antibiotics, obesity, and even a fungus. Various studies have proposed links between high-fat diets, breast milk consumption, and diets rich in red meat and sugar.

Colon cancer, a condition characterized by uncontrolled cell division in the colon or rectum, is notoriously difficult to detect in its early stages due to non-specific symptoms like changes in bowel habits. Detecting the cancer early significantly improves survival rates, with over 91 percent of patients surviving more than five years after diagnosis. However, delays in diagnosis can result in survival rates dropping below 13 percent.

Through this global research initiative, scientists aim to shed light on the factors driving the rise of colon cancer in young adults, paving the way for improved prevention strategies and early detection.