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Project MEPROT: Shaping the Future of Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Summary
This roadmap paper reviews the rising rates of early onset colorectal cancer in people under 50 and proposes a transdisciplinary research framework called Project MEPROT to accelerate the discovery of causal risk factors, including early-life and gut microbial exposures. The author highlights critical gaps in understanding how lifestyle, environmental, and microbiome-related factors contribute to cancer development at younger ages. The study calls for integrating population science, mechanistic research, and behavioral studies to develop effective prevention strategies.
Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) among individuals under age 50 is increasing globally. While lifestyle factors such as obesity, metabolic comorbid conditions, poor diet, and sedentary behaviours are linked to EOCRC, critical gaps remain in identifying additional risk factors, with growing evidence in early-life and gut microbial-related exposures. In addition, how or when the risk factors act, individually or collectively, to initiate or promote CRC at much younger ages remains unknown. Compounding the complexity are the unique challenges of developing and implementing effective prevention strategies among younger populations. In this Roadmap, I review the progress and challenges of risk factor discovery for EOCRC, highlight opportunities for prevention, and propose a transdisciplinary framework integrating population, mechanistic, behavioural, and implementation sciences to accelerate causal risk factor discovery and translate insights into strategies to reverse the rising EOCRC burden. While currently implemented by Project MEPROT, this framework is broadly adaptable and intended to inspire collaborative efforts across the field. I also emphasize the critical role of patient perspectives and public engagement in shaping these efforts. With the urgency in risk factor discovery, scientists, the public, and policymakers must unite to transform knowledge into life-saving solutions for future generations.
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