Longevity & AgingGlobal Study Uncovers Why Colorectal Cancer Strikes Young Adults More Often
Researchers sequenced colorectal cancers from 11 countries across 17 nations, comparing mutational signatures in early-onset (under 50) versus later-onset cases. They identified geography-specific and age-specific patterns of DNA damage, including a novel mutational signature linked to early-onset disease that resembles damage caused by reactive oxygen species or certain dietary exposures. Tumors from Southeast Asia, South America, and Eastern Europe showed distinct mutational profiles compared to North American and Western European cases. The findings suggest that rising rates of early-onset colorectal cancer may be driven by specific, identifiable environmental or dietary mutagens acting on the colon in younger people, offering new targets for prevention and early detection strategies worldwide.
