Researchers: Stress may cause bowel cancer in young people

A recent study suggests a high likelihood of a link between stress levels and a diagnosis of bowel cancer in young people, writes the Daily Mail.

Today, there are many hypotheses regarding the factors that influence the development of colon cancer among young people, but this study supports the idea that long-term stress is an important factor in triggering the disease. Scientists believe that it is the combination of mental stress and biological changes occurring in the digestive system that create favorable conditions for the development of the disease. The experiment showed that in mice exposed to high levels of stress, there was a change in the microbiome – the bacteria living in the intestines, which subsequently led to the development of malignant tumors in the colon.

Dr. Esther Tahuber, director of the gastrointestinal tumor department at Asuta Ramat HaHayal Hospital, citing the study, said that both the Western world and Israel have seen an increase in the incidence of colon cancer among younger populations.

The doctor emphasized that the most effective tool for preventing colon cancer is early diagnosis. “According to recommendations in Israel, screening studies for colon cancer should begin in the non-high-risk population at age 50,” Tahuber added.