Young People! Watch Out for Excess Weight

Worldwide, approximately 1.000.000 people are diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer annually, and nearly 500.000 die from it. The colon and rectum form the digestive system's large bowel. The final 20 cm near the anus is the rectum, and the section extending to the small intestine is the colon. These cancers develop in cells lining the organs. Although the exact cause is unknown, recognized risk factors include excess weight from unhealthy eating, smoking, older age and polyps (usually benign growths from the inner bowel wall that can sometimes become cancerous). Research into causes and new treatment strategies continues for colorectal cancers, among our country's three most common cancers. Results of one notable long-term study were published in the British Medical Journal in recent months.

The study followed from adolescence 29.658 individuals, assessing the relationship between their body mass index (a mathematical ratio using body weight and height) and adult colorectal cancer incidence. It also examined, for the first time, the association between colorectal cancer and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (red blood cell settling rate). Sedim , another name for this blood test, indicates bodily inflammation and is known to increase with excess weight.

The study enrolled healthy Swedish young men receiving compulsory military training, without previous inflammatory bowel disease, aged 16 - 20: 29.658 participants followed for 35 years. During this period, 885 developed colorectal cancer (501 colon-384 rectal). A body mass index of 18,5 - 25 was normal, 27,5 - 30 overweight, and over 30 obese. Healthy overweight youths, based on BMI (height–weight ratio), had 2 times the colorectal cancer risk of normal-weight youths. Among otherwise healthy obese individuals, the rate was 2.38 times higher. Increased inflammatory blood levels (sedim) were also associated with greater risk (%63).

Dear friends, this study found that excess weight early in life may increase future colorectal cancer risk. It reminds us to avoid irregular eating and sedentary lifestyles that cause excess weight at young ages.