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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The colorectal cancer conundrum: the rising burden in younger adults
ClearWhy Is Colorectal Cancer Occurring Earlier? Metabolic Dysfunction, Underrecognized Carcinogens, and Emerging Controversies
Researchers reviewed the rising incidence of early-onset colorectal cancer in people under 50, synthesizing epidemiological, molecular, and multi-omics evidence that implicates metabolic dysfunction, accelerated epigenetic aging, gut microbiome dysbiosis, and modern environmental exposures including micro- and nanoplastics as converging contributors to this trend.
The Impact of the Gut Microbiome, Environment, and Diet in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Development
This review explores why colorectal cancer is increasing among younger people, pointing to changes in gut bacteria, diet, and environmental exposures as likely contributors. Microplastics are discussed as one of several environmental factors that may be disrupting the gut microbiome and promoting inflammation linked to cancer development. The findings suggest that the rising tide of environmental contaminants, including microplastics, could be playing a role in this troubling health trend.
Don't take this lying down: an urgent wakeup call: the weight of diet and lifestyle in the young‐onset colorectal cancer surge
This editorial discusses the rise of young-onset colorectal cancer (YO-CRC) in developed nations, noting that CRC is projected to become the leading cause of cancer mortality in those aged 20–49 by 2030, and examines the role of diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors including potential contributions from microplastics. It calls for urgent research and preventive action targeting modifiable risk factors in young adults.
Could Microplastics Be a Driver for Early Onset Colorectal Cancer?
This paper explores whether microplastics could be contributing to the rising rates of colorectal cancer in people under 50. The timing of this increase lines up with the mass production of plastics starting in the 1950s, and microplastics are known to disrupt the gut lining and interact with gut bacteria in ways that could promote cancer. While not proven, the authors argue this connection deserves urgent research given how much plastic humans now ingest.
Microplastics and the Rising Tide of Early‐Onset Colorectal Cancer: Exploring the Environmental Gut Connection
This paper explores the potential connection between microplastic exposure and the rising rates of early-onset colorectal cancer. The study discusses how microplastics may interact with the gut environment, suggesting that further research is needed to understand whether environmental microplastic contamination could be contributing to this emerging health trend.
Rethinking the rise of early-onset gastrointestinal cancers: a call to action
A multidisciplinary team of researchers is raising the alarm about a dramatic increase in gastrointestinal cancers in people under 50 since the early 1990s, including colorectal, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. The causes remain poorly understood, but the researchers call for studying environmental exposures including the full range of chemicals people encounter throughout their lives. While the paper does not name microplastics specifically, the rise in early-onset GI cancers coincides with increasing environmental plastic pollution, and the gut is a primary site of microplastic accumulation in the body.
The incidence of early onset colorectal cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand: 2000–2020
Researchers analyzed colorectal cancer trends in New Zealand from 2000 to 2020, finding that while overall rates declined slightly, early-onset cases (in younger adults) are rising — and rising faster among Maori — suggesting environmental or lifestyle factors, including dietary contaminants, may be contributing to this shift.
The clinical relevance of microplastic exposure on colorectal cancer: A systematic review
This systematic review of four studies found that microplastic accumulation in colorectal cancer tissue (25.9-32.2 particles/g) was significantly higher than in healthy controls, with polyamide, polycarbonate, and polypropylene as the most common polymers detected. While a causal relationship has not been established, the evidence points to microplastics as a potential environmental factor in colorectal cancer development.
Orally Ingested Micro- and Nano-Plastics: A Hidden Driver of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer.
This review synthesizes evidence linking ingested micro- and nano-plastics to inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer risk, proposing that microplastics act as a hidden driver of gut inflammation in vulnerable populations. The authors argue that intestinal accumulation of microplastics triggers immune and oxidative stress pathways that contribute to disease progression.
Image 2_Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review.png
This systematic review examines the potential link between microplastics and colorectal cancer. It found that humans ingest over 70,000 microplastic particles annually, and that higher concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics have been observed in colorectal tumor tissues compared to healthy tissue, suggesting a possible connection worth further investigation.
Is it time to reduce the age of screening for colorectal cancer?
This paper is not about microplastics; it is a brief New Zealand Medical Journal editorial discussing whether the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening should be lowered.
Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review
This systematic review examines the potential link between microplastics and nanoplastics and colorectal cancer. The research highlights how these tiny particles may contribute to cancer development through mechanisms like chronic inflammation and cellular damage in the gut. While more studies are needed, the findings raise important questions about the long-term consequences of ingesting plastic particles.
Image 3_Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review.png
This systematic review examines the potential link between microplastics and colorectal cancer. It found that humans ingest over 70,000 microplastic particles annually, and that higher concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics have been observed in colorectal tumor tissues compared to healthy tissue, suggesting a possible connection worth further investigation.
Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer
Researchers examined tumor and surrounding tissue from colorectal cancer patients and found a diverse range of microplastics, including PVC and polyethylene, with tumor tissues containing a greater variety and higher distribution of microplastics than adjacent healthy tissue. A protein called clathrin that helps cells absorb materials was highly active in the cancer tissue, suggesting it may facilitate microplastic uptake and pointing to a potential link between microplastic exposure and colorectal cancer development.
Image 1_Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review.png
This systematic review examines the potential link between microplastics and colorectal cancer. It found that humans ingest over 70,000 microplastic particles annually, and that higher concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics have been observed in colorectal tumor tissues compared to healthy tissue, suggesting a possible connection worth further investigation.
Associations between microplastics in human feces and colorectal cancer risk
In a study of 258 colorectal cancer patients and 493 healthy controls, researchers found significantly higher levels of microplastics in the stool of cancer patients, with those in the highest exposure group having 11 times the odds of colorectal cancer. This is one of the first studies in humans to provide epidemiological evidence of a potential link between microplastic exposure and cancer risk, though more research is needed to determine if the relationship is causal.
Comparative Analysis of Physical and Polymer Characteristics of Microplastics Detected in Human Colorectal Cancer Samples From the United States and Malaysia
Researchers compared the physical and chemical characteristics of microplastics found in colorectal cancer tissue samples from patients in the United States and Malaysia. Microplastics were detected in samples from both populations, with some similarities in polymer types but also distinct differences in particle size and shape between the two groups. The study adds to growing evidence that microplastics accumulate in human tissues, though more research is needed to understand any potential health implications.
Microplastics and Colorectal Cancer: Presence in Human Colorectal Tissues and Associations with Tumor Biology- A Systematic Review
This review of 13 studies found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics are present in human colon tissues, with higher amounts found in cancerous tumors compared to healthy tissue. The research suggests these plastic particles may contribute to colon cancer development by causing inflammation and creating conditions that help tumors grow. While more research is needed to prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, this highlights growing concerns about how plastic pollution in our environment and food supply might affect human health.
Microplastics: An emerging environmental risk factor for gut microbiota dysbiosis and cancer development?
This review examines how microplastics may disrupt the gut microbiome and immune system in ways that could promote cancer development. Evidence from recent studies suggests microplastics can cause chronic inflammation, alter the balance of gut bacteria, and trigger molecular pathways linked to several cancer types including lung, liver, breast, and colon cancer. While more human research is needed, the review highlights a concerning connection between microplastic exposure, gut health, and cancer risk.
Detection of Microplastics in Patients with Colorectal Adenocarcinoma using Various Techniques
Researchers detected microplastics in tumoral and non-tumoral colon tissues of colorectal adenocarcinoma patients and healthy controls using ATR-FTIR and Raman spectroscopies, finding that tumoral tissues contained significantly higher microplastic counts than non-tumoral or healthy tissues. The identified polymers included polyethylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and nylon, suggesting a potential link between microplastic exposure and colorectal cancer.
Microplastic Exposure and Its Dual Impact on Metabolic Syndrome and Pathways of Colorectal Carcinogenesis: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological, Experimental, and Mechanistic Evidence
This systematic review examines evidence linking microplastic exposure to both metabolic syndrome and colorectal cancer pathways. It found a biologically plausible connection between microplastic exposure and these conditions, though a direct clinical link to cancer has not yet been established.
Pollutants, microbiota and immune system: frenemies within the gut
This review summarizes how environmental pollutants, including microplastics, disrupt the gut microbiome and immune system, potentially contributing to inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. Pollutants reduce beneficial gut bacteria while promoting inflammation, weakening the intestinal barrier, and triggering a chain of events that can push cells toward cancerous growth.
Project MEPROT: Shaping the Future of Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Prevention
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.
Microplastics role in cell migration and distribution during cancer cell division
Researchers exposed human colorectal cancer cells to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found the particles persisted inside cells without being eliminated, were passed from parent to daughter cells during division, and significantly increased cell migration -- a key step in cancer spreading. These findings suggest microplastics could act as hidden promoters of tumor progression in the gut, where plastic exposure through food is highest.