A recent study by the University of Missouri-Kansas City has found a disturbing trend: colorectal cancer, typically affecting people over 50, is now increasingly affecting children and young adults aged 10-19.

The research revealed a staggering 500% and 333% increase in colorectal cancer cases among children and teens, respectively. This is alarming, as colorectal cancer is already the third most common cancer worldwide and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, primarily affecting those over 59.

The World Health Organisation attributes the development of colorectal cancer to lifestyle factors like processed meat consumption, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol intake. Researchers in paediatric cancer note that processed food consumption, environmental pollution, and tobacco and alcohol consumption are contributing to the rising global cancer trend.

Wakadaily learnt that, Professor Aminu Mohammed, a paediatric surgeon, has expressed concern over the increasing cancer cases among children and young adults in Nigeria, highlighting the need for attention and action.

He stated, “Cancer cases in Nigeria have been on the rise. What we see in the last five to 10 years is far more than the number of cases we are seeing recently. It is not only restricted to patients between the ages of 25 and 49 years old, but even to younger age groups. I treat children with cancers and we are seeing a lot of them coming up with cancers.

“The ones that affect children and adults are on the rise and cancers that are normally known to occur in older persons are now more common and presenting in children and people younger than the normal age of those that have these cancers.”

Mohammed further attributed the rise to increased consumption of refined foods, stating, “For example, in cases related to colon cancer, those who consume refined foods may not be passing stool every day or every other day. This is because refined foods do not have enough fibre to cause the colon to distend to enable them to feel the urge to pass stool. Constipation is now more common than before.”

Dr. Islam Mohamed, the lead researcher, discussed the study’s findings, highlighting their significance and implications.

“Colorectal cancer is no longer considered just a disease of the elderly population. It means that there is a trend. We don’t know what to make of it yet, it could be lifestyle factors or genetics, but there is a trend.”

Researchers discovered that colorectal cancer cases in people under 40 remain relatively low, with cases under 30 being extremely rare.

According to the 2020 Global Cancer Observatory, there were approximately 18.1 million new cancer cases and 9.9 million cancer deaths worldwide in 2020. In Nigeria, there were 124,815 new cancer cases, 78,899 deaths, and 23,391 prevalent cases over five years.

The American Cancer Society reported only 17,930 colorectal cancer cases in Americans under 50 in 2020. Dr. Folasade May, an Associate Professor of Medicine at UCLA, expressed concern about the increasing cases, but noted that the oldest age group had the smallest percentage increase.

She explained that even a small number of additional cases in a rare disease among 15-year-olds can result in a significant percentage increase. While the cause of the rise is unknown, researchers are investigating potential factors such as modern diets, antibiotics, and fungal infections.

According to the study, “Colorectal cancer normally begins as a small growth, called a polyp, on the inner lining of the colon or rectum — part of the large intestine. Over time, the cells in these polyps can start to divide uncontrollably, triggering the cancer.

“Early warning signs of the disease can include a change in bowel habits, blood in faeces, unexplained weight loss and sudden fatigue or weakness — brought on by blood loss,” the study mentioned.

According to the oncologist, timely detection, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancer can significantly improve patient outcomes, with 90% of patients surviving beyond five years after diagnosis.

However, delayed detection and treatment can significantly reduce the five-year survival rate to 71%, highlighting the importance of early intervention.