Harvard Doctor: Why young people are getting colon cancer | Dr. Andy Chan

Rates of colorectal cancer have declined in people over 65 but doubled among people under 50 in the last few decades. By 2030 it’s expected to be the leading cancer-related death in this age group.

In today’s episode, gastrointestinal cancer and prevention specialist, Dr. Andy Chan, explains how changes in the gut microbiome could be to blame.

Dr. Chan discusses the critical role your diet plays in cancer risk, how your gut microbiome can influence the development of colon cancer and the steps you can take to lower your risk.

Dr. Andy Chan is a Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Program Director for Gastroenterology training at Massachusetts General Hospital.

*Naturally high in copper which contributes to normal energy yielding metabolism and the normal function of the immune system

Timecodes
00:00 Introduction
04:54 What is colon cancer?
06:17 How does cancer develop?
09:44 How common is colon cancer?
11:55 Demographics and shifting trends
14:48 Leading cause of cancer death for men under 50
16:28 Why are cancer rates rising in younger people
18:06 The role of diet and obesity
20:30 Does alcohol have an impact?
22:07 What is metabolic health and why does it matter?
26:05 Gut health and colon cancer
27:22 Evidence from animal studies
36:11 Why overuse of antibiotics can be harmful
40:40 Screening recommendations and methods
47:08 Can changing your diet reduce risk?
52:17 Should we avoid red meat?
55:00 Does physical activity reduce risk?

Books by our ZOE Scientists:

Mentioned in today’s episode:

Association Between the Sulfur Microbial Diet and Risk of Colorectal Cancer, from Gastroenterology and Hepatology

[whatthefunction]

No fiber. Ultra processed food. Preservatives. Pesticides. Dyes, micro plastics, sitting

[livy]

Lost my brother to colon cancer last year. He was only 40 and got diagnosed at stage 4 with Braf mutation. I’m devastated. He was such a good person.
I cry everyday. 😢

[Jeniveve]

A dear friend of mine passed away last month because of colon cancer. She was 37… I’m still grappling with it all.

[arpeemac]

Actionable things:
- get enough sleep
- get sunlight
- increase physical activity
- less refined carbohydrates (VERY IMPORTANT)
- less processed meat (VERY IMPORTANT)
- less alcohol consumption
- quit smoking
- more fruits and vegetables (VERY IMPORTANT)
- take note of for bowel irregularities (VERY IMPORTANT)

[binny]

My brother passed last year from stage 4 colon cancer. Zero symptoms until he went into the ER one day for excruciating pain in his abdomen. Eventually he went into surgery where they found that he had stage 4 colon cancer. He fought for 9 months but the cancer caused blockage and he couldn’t eat. He passed 5 weeks after in hospice. He was 3 months shy of his 43rd birthday. No family history of colon cancer. The pain from his loss is indescribable. He was my best friend.

[igoodkid]

To be clear, $6 to 9, 000 dollars is like 5 months to 8.5 months of rent. That’s how much the Doctors and hospitals charge here just for a damn test. Inmoral and despicable

[ashhhh]

I’ve started questioning everything, especially government health advice! After reading Health and Beauty Mastery, I completely changed my approach. This book reveals so many shocking truths about the health industry!

[sandybayes]

Don't forget about all the chemicals now added to our foods as well. The US allows so much into our food processing that other countries do not allow.

[faramiomir]

My mum died of colon cancer at the age of 46. :(( Chemo didn't help, operation didn't help. Alternative stuff didn't help either. It was a horrible thing to watch her wane and perish like that. She worked a lot, did not have the best diet, and led a pretty stressful life trying to provide for me and my brother as a single mother. I miss her dearly even today, 16 years after her passing. She visits me in my dreams and then I cry...

[SuzanneTheme]

Sister didn’t go for routine colonoscopy. At 57 they found a brain tumor which metastasized from colon cancer. Died in 8 months. Friend got off a jet from the Caribbean and had some abdominal pain which she never had. Went to doctor and got the diagnosis of colon cancer. It was SO early..no chemo or radiation. Detection is KEY.😊

[gunesbaran]

I think psychology also has a significant role in colon cancer. We know that when you are stressed or sad, this can affect your bowel movements. We also know that when you are diagnosed with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), the doctors can give you antidepressants as a cure, since they found that this is the only medication that helps IBS. I listen to my body and know for myself that my psychology directly affects my gut and also can trigger other medical conditions I have. All of these facts lead me to think it’s not only what we eat, but also what we think and feel. People have been a lot more stressed and depressed lately, again could be linked to the increase of colon cancer lately. I would be interested to listen on this subject in the relation of mental health and relationships.

[DharamdasbhaiSadhu-kmye]

For everyone reading this, finding the banned book called the hidden herbs by anette ray should be your top priority

[genvil]

I’m an RN at a huge cancer center in Seattle and I have been seeing patients as young as early 20’s and it’s very alarming to say the least.

[peu]

At age 55 I had a colonoscopy which revealed a benign polyp but my Dr recommended another after a year which revealed another benign polyp. Because of this I asked him to order a colonoscopy for my 28 year old daughter which also revealed a benign polyp. Moral lesson is had she waited to turn 50 before she had a "routine" colonoscopy who knows what 22 years of waiting for symptoms would it had developed into.

[harvestmoon]

An online friend of mine found out she has stage IV colon cancer. We're both part of an online group of moms that all had kids in the same month almost 5 years ago. She's in treatment but her prognosis doesn't look good. She's going to leave behind an almost 5 year old boy and we're all devastated for her.

[SonnyDarvish]

I believe in periodically giving body to relax, cleanse itself and rebuild by fasting for one to a couple of days. It's a great natural and resetting mechanism. We are overwhelming the system by eating multiple times every day, stressing out most of the day, sleeping less than required (for each person), and we live with these bad habbits chronically. It shouldn't be a surprise that at one point body won't be able to keep up fighting with bad cells. In old days, there were no ultra processed foods, but still people didn't have this level of anxiety and fasted occasionally for religious purpose at least.

[Deleted_comments]

Eating extremely potent herbs & spices & vegetables really do have a positive impact on your health. Ginger & Garlic alone has many benefits and should be part of eating habits.

[kimbe]

As a hair stylist and health and wellness coach… I can tell you the younger generation don’t cook a lot… fast foods/door dash and Uber eats!!!! I cook daily and bring my lunch to work Everyday!!! When I ask my clients how is their digestion it’s always a lot of bloating… it’s really bad

[leiachu]

-reduce red meat and processed meat
-fibres good
-no more grilled stuffs, its too high temp
-increase activity

[audreyfarmer]

I just lost a dear friend to this. She did not smoke, she exercised regularly and was only perhaps 5-10 pounds overweight. I have another friend with it as well. Similar profile. Stage 4. It seems to be on the rise. In fact, all cancers seem on the rise…but colon perhaps even more. We need to take this very seriously.