E. coli infection in childhood may ‘contribute to this process’

Data on the increase in cases cancer The growth of the intestine in young people has left doctors around the world puzzled: the diagnosis of cancer (which usually appears at an advanced age) has increased in the past 30 years by up to 50% In the age group of 20 to 40 years. Now two of the world’s leading experts have revealed a new theory that could explain this trend.

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Expert hypothesis: the role of childhood infections

Bowel cancer also appears to increasingly affect young people aged between 20 and 40. The factors contributing to this trend are likely to be of different types, but leading experts have suggested – as reported by the Daily Mail – that this one factor common childhood infection It may be partly responsible. What would it be? It would be a specific type of bacteria. Escherichia coli It was contracted during childhood, which could “contribute to at least some of the cancer-causing processes” in the opinion of Dr Charles Swanton, head of Cancer Research UK.

Even the oncologist Kimmy NgThe American specialist in treating early-stage colorectal cancer noted that many of his young cases actually involved colorectal cancer. children. Therefore, infection may occur at a “very early” moment in a person’s life.

She added that thyroid cancer is on the rise among young people, as is kidney cancer.

Bacteria affect 1 in 5 people.

The type of E. coli that experts have identified is a specific strain known as PKS-positive. The development of the infection would not be linked to food poisoning, but it is thought to develop through it.Interaction of bacteria with microbes in our gut.

Scientists aren’t entirely sure how people get infected with PKS-positive E. coli, but a 2022 study published in the journal Nature – the Daily Mail continues – found a link between the presence of the bacteria in colorectal tumors and colon cancer. Diet, It can be done. Increased risk of bowel cancer after E. coli infection, although not all experts agree with this theory.

Bacteria will also come into contact. 1 person has 5 Over a lifetime, according to a 2023 study published in the journal Life Sciences.

Diet? Maybe this is not a decisive factor.

Bad habits are often responsible for the increase in bowel cancer cases. Unbalanced diet, smoking and obesity certainly do not help the body avoid the development of tumors. However, experts say, in this case, another factor can be the decisive one.

In fact, Dr. Eng points out that many of her patients are young and fit, often living a healthy and active lifestyle. In fact, many of them may be “athletes and marathon runners, so it’s really worrying,” says the doctor. “The hypothesis that many have put forward is that the incidence of gastrointestinal tumors is increasing because obesity is a risk factor. But, she concludes, “I personally have not encountered this in the patients I care for.”

Dr. Swanton also said that although many scientific studies support obesity as a major risk factor for early-stage colorectal cancer, he doesn’t believe it. In fact, he agreed with the doctor. “My impression, at least from a clinical standpoint, is that this argument doesn’t always hold up, and that many of these early tumors are in individuals who are not obese or overweight,” he said.