A rising concern in the medical community is the mystery behind the increasing number of bowel cancer cases among younger individuals. But here's where it gets controversial... Scientists believe that the answer may lie in a unique and unexpected place: tumor samples from the 1950s.
Tucked away in the basement of a London hospital, tens of thousands of these samples have been preserved for over seven decades. Researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research and St. Mark's Hospital are now embarking on an innovative study to compare bowel cancer specimens from the 1960s with modern cases.
Using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques, the team aims to unravel the impact of changes in diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors, collectively known as the exposome, on the rise of early-onset bowel cancer.
Bowel cancer, the fourth most common cancer in the UK and the second leading cause of cancer deaths, has seen a worrying trend. While screening programs have successfully reduced cases in older adults, diagnoses among younger individuals have been on the rise, with expectations of a doubling of cases between 2010 and 2030.
And this is the part most people miss... Early-onset cancers often present at a later stage and exhibit more aggressive behavior compared to bowel cancer in older individuals. Despite advancements in treatment, the outcomes for these younger patients remain poor.
Research has yet to pinpoint the exact cause of this shift, but theories abound, including changes in diet, exposure to environmental pollutants like microplastics, and even alterations in the microbiome.
The "Boomers Project" aims to utilize preserved pathology specimens from St. Mark's Hospital, home to one of the UK's oldest archives of bowel cancer samples. Initial tests have revealed that these samples, some dating back to the early 1900s, remain intact and suitable for advanced molecular analysis.
By mapping the alterations in DNA caused by different environmental exposures, such as smoking or dietary habits, the researchers hope to gain insights into how the exposome has influenced the rise in early-onset bowel cancer cases.
If successful, this project could pave the way for larger-scale investigations and inform new strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Professor Trevor Graham, Professor of Genomics and Evolution and Director of the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, emphasizes the importance of this study:
"People in the 1960s lived very differently from today. We believe that the exposome, the changes in diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors, is a key contributor to the increase in bowel cancer cases and deaths among younger adults. By comparing bowel cancers from the 1960s with modern cases, we hope to identify the exact drivers of this increase, which could lead to groundbreaking advancements in bowel cancer prevention and treatment."
Professor Kevin Monahan, Gastroenterologist, and Co-Director of The St. Mark's Centre for Familial Intestinal Cancer, adds:
"The causes of bowel cancer in young people are still largely unknown, and the increase in cases over recent decades is a pressing issue. It could be a combination of factors, from diet and genetics to microplastics and sedentary lifestyles. What's particularly concerning is that many younger patients show no obvious signs of poor health but are diagnosed with aggressive bowel cancer. We believe that our unique collection of historical tumor samples at St. Mark's Hospital will open new avenues for preventing bowel cancer in young individuals."
A healthy diet, regular exercise, and prompt consultation with a GP for any new bowel symptoms remain crucial in reducing the risk of bowel cancer.
Holly Masters, a 23-year-old actor and access support worker from East Anglia, was diagnosed with stage three rectal cancer over four years ago. Successfully treated with chemo-radiation and major surgery, Holly shares her experience:
"I knew something wasn't right a year before my diagnosis. I had all the symptoms of bowel cancer, but doctors diagnosed me with IBS. It was only through an emergency admission to A&E that I received my cancer diagnosis. I went through a range of emotions, and it hadn't even crossed my mind that I could have cancer at such a young age. It felt unfair. I lost my innocence and realized how harsh life can be. I now have a stoma, which took time to adjust to, and I live with the constant fear of the cancer returning. The mental and physical effects of my diagnosis will be with me for the rest of my life. We need to protect younger people and understand why more of us are being diagnosed with cancer."
This study offers a unique opportunity to unlock the mysteries surrounding early-onset bowel cancer and potentially save lives. With further research and a deeper understanding of the exposome's role, we can work towards a future where younger individuals are better protected from this devastating disease.
