Why are young people getting colon cancer? | Dr. Andy Chan

Rates of colorectal cancer have declined in people over 65 but doubled among people under 50 in the last few decades. By 2030 it’s expected to be the leading cancer-related death in this age group.
In today’s episode, gastrointestinal cancer and prevention specialist, Dr. Andy Chan, explains how changes in the gut microbiome could be to blame.
Dr. Chan discusses the critical role your diet plays in cancer risk, how your gut microbiome can influence the development of colon cancer and the steps you can take to lower your risk.
Dr. Andy Chan is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Program Director for Gastroenterology training at Massachusetts General Hospital.
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Timecodes:
00:00 Introduction
04:00 What is colon cancer?
05:20 How does cancer develop?
08:50 How common is colon cancer?
11:00 Demographics and shifting trends
14:00 Leading cause of cancer death for men under 50
15:32 Why are cancer rates rising in younger people
17:10 The role of diet and obesity
19:40 Does alcohol have an impact?
21:10 What is metabolic health and why does it matter?
25:10 Gut health and colon cancer
27:50 Evidence from animal studies
33:43 Why overuse of antibiotics can be harmful
38:15 Screening recommendations and methods
44:40 Can changing your diet reduce risk?
49:50 Should we avoid red meat?
53:28 Does physical activity reduce risk?

Books by our ZOE Scientists:

Every Body Should Know This by Dr Federica Amati

Food For Life by Prof. Tim Spector

Fibre Fuelled by Dr Will Bulsiewicz

Free resources from ZOE:

Live Healthier: Top 10 Tips From ZOE Science & Nutrition

Gut Guide - for a healthier microbiome in weeks

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Influence of the Gut Microbiome, Diet, and Environment on Risk of Colorectal Cancer, from Gastroenterology

Reducing Risk for Colorectal Cancer, from Center for Disease Control & Prevention

Colorectal cancer statistics, 2017, from CA Cancer Journal

Association Between the Sulfur Microbial Diet and Risk of Colorectal Cancer, from Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Fusobacterium nucleatum and colorectal cancer: From phenomenon to mechanism, from Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

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Episode transcripts are available here.

Why are young people getting colon cancer? | Dr. Andy Chan

ZOE Science & Nutrition

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