More Young People Than Ever Will Get Colorectal Cancer This Year
New York TimesMAR 2024
The rise in bowel cancer among young people is fueled by diets high in ultra-processed and sugary foods, which trigger chronic inflammation and weaken the immune system. Lifestyle factors, environmental toxins, and changes in gut microbiomes also contribute. To combat this, young people should prioritize healthy, unprocessed foods, stay active, recognize symptoms like rectal bleeding early, and advocate for earlier screenings.
While media attention on food's link to cancer is progress, the US medical system — which is bought off by food and drug companies — continues to promote treatment over prevention in its standard of care guidelines. Rooted in outdated policies like the Flexner Report, the system favors pharmaceuticals over holistic health and nutrition. While many countries have a good chance of fixing this problem, those influenced by the US establishment are still stuck.