A dramatic increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in the US, particularly in children and adolescents, researchers have identified in a study to be presented at the Digestive Disease Week conference in the US.

Specifically, between 1999 and 2020, the rate of colorectal cancers increased by 500% in children aged 10-14 years, 333% in adolescents aged 15-19 years and 185% in young adults aged 20-24 years.

Using data from the US Centers for Disease Control’s Wonder Database, the researchers calculated trends in colorectal cancer rates for people aged 10-44 years from 1999 to 2020.

In 2020, 0.6 children aged 10-14 years per 100,000 population were diagnosed with colorectal cancer compared to 0.1 per 100,000 in 1999. Diagnoses in adolescents 15-19 years increased from 0.3 to 1.3 per 100,000 and in young adults 20-24 years from 0.7 to 2 per 100,000.

The researchers clarify that the number of cases in children and adolescents is not high enough to recommend widespread use of colonoscopy, but more individualized approaches should be considered.

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An escalation was also seen in older age groups, with rates increasing by 71% in 30-34 year olds, 58% in 35-39 year olds and 37% in 40-44 year olds.

The latter age group may have had the smallest percentage increase, but had the highest rate of colorectal cancer, reaching 20 cases per 100,000 people in 2020.

Risk factors include a family history of inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer, while modifiable risk factors include obesity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption and dietary habits such as low fibre intake, consumption of processed meats and sugary drinks and high-fat diets.

A sedentary lifestyle, the presence of tumour-causing bacteria, the use of antibiotics and dietary additives are possible, but not consistently proven, contributors to the risk of colorectal cancer.