Colon cancer rates in younger people are rising, but research suggests a healthy diet can lower the risk of developing the disease.
Cancer is typically associated with older people, but the percentage of colorectal cancer cases in those under 55 doubled between 1995 and 2019, from 11% to 20%, according to the American Cancer Society. It’s now the deadliest cancer among men under 50 in the US and the second deadliest for women the same age.
Around $24.3 billion was spent in the US on colorectal cancer-related healthcare in 2020, accounting for 12.6% of all cancer treatment costs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Experts don’t know what’s behind the uptick in cases. However, it’s understood that lifestyle factors such as being overweight, being physically inactive, drinking alcohol, and eating lots of red meat and ultra-processed foods increase colon cancer risk, Meredy Birdi, a cancer dietitian based in London, told Business Insider.
“Around 75% of our …