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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Project MEPROT: Shaping the Future of Early Onset Colorectal Cancer Prevention
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 colorectal cancer conundrum: the rising burden in younger adults
Researchers analyzing 2025 U.S. cancer statistics found that colorectal cancer incidence is rising, with a notable shift toward younger adults and women — a trend that has accelerated in recent decades and is not fully explained by known risk factors. This changing demographic pattern raises questions about emerging environmental or lifestyle exposures, including potential roles for microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
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.
Gut microbiota: an ideal biomarker and intervention strategy for aging
Not relevant to microplastics — this review explores how gut microbiome composition can serve as a biomarker for aging and a target for anti-aging interventions in humans, without addressing plastic pollution.
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.
Colon Organoids as Experimental Models to Study the Effect of Micro-Nanoparticles as a Driver of Early-Onset Colon Cancer
Researchers used human colon organoids—three-dimensional tissue models derived from patient biopsies—as experimental platforms to investigate whether micro- and nanoplastic exposure could drive early-onset colorectal cancer development. Organoid exposure to various micro/nanoplastic types induced cellular stress responses, barrier disruption, and pro-carcinogenic gene expression patterns relevant to colorectal cancer initiation.
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.
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.
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.
A Connection Between the Gut Microbiome and Epigenetic Modification in Age-Related Cancer: A Narrative Review
This review explores how age-related changes in the gut microbiome can influence cancer development through epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation and histone alterations. Researchers found that the gut microbiome plays a dual role, both protecting against and potentially contributing to cancer susceptibility as people age. The study suggests that targeted interventions to maintain a healthy gut microbiome could be a strategy for reducing age-related cancer risk.
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.
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.
Role of dietary nutrients and metabolism in colorectal cancer.
This review examines how dietary nutrients including glucose, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and prebiotics may influence colorectal cancer risk and progression. The study discusses metabolic interactions between tumor cells, the tumor microenvironment, and gut microbiota, suggesting that nutritional factors play a meaningful role in shaping these complex biological processes.
Editorial: Impact of gut ecosystem in health and diseases: microbiome, mucosal barrier and cytokine milieu
This editorial introduces a research collection examining the gut ecosystem's role in health and disease, focusing on how the perinatal and lifetime 'exposome' (diet, pre/probiotics, environmental factors) shapes microbiome composition, mucosal barrier function, and cytokine/chemokine signaling in intestinal immunity.
Causal relationship between gut microbiota and gastrointestinal diseases: a mendelian randomization study
This Mendelian randomization study found genetic evidence supporting a causal relationship between specific gut microbiota compositions and gastrointestinal diseases. The findings suggest that microbiome-related interventions, including microbiome-dependent metabolites, could potentially be developed to treat or manage gastrointestinal conditions.
A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Potential Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects From Micro(nano) Plastic Exposure
This narrative review synthesizes evidence on gastrointestinal adverse effects of micro- and nanoplastic exposure, examining how these particles interact with gut microbiota, mucosal barriers, and immune tissue to contribute to inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and colorectal cancer risk.
Resilience to Global Health Challenges Through Nutritional Gut Microbiome Modulation
This review explores how gut microbiome composition during early life influences long-term health, and how nutritional strategies can help build resilience against chronic diseases. Researchers highlight that environmental factors including microplastics and other contaminants can disrupt the developing gut microbiome, potentially contributing to allergies, obesity, and neurological conditions. The study suggests that targeted nutritional interventions to support healthy gut bacteria could help counteract some of these environmental exposures.
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.
Global trends and hotspots of gastrointestinal microbiome and toxicity based on bibliometrics
This bibliometric analysis mapped global research trends and hotspots in gastrointestinal microbiome and toxicity studies, finding that modifications to the gut microbiome could offer new directions for treating and mitigating toxic exposures.