Colorectal cancer in young adults is increasing as scientists examine how high fat diets, which are low in fibre, can bring about changes in the digestive system raising the risk for early-onset colorectal cancer.

Leading to inflammation that ages cells faster and makes them more vulnerable to cancer. “Western diet” can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract, as per the researchers from Ohio State University, according to New York Post.

At the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago, they presented their findings over the weekend.

The OSU scientists discovered that people with early-onset colorectal cancer were biologically 15 years older on average than their chronological ages. Moreover, late-onset colorectal cancer patients had similar biological and chronological ages.

Young people continue to get diagnosed around the world at startling rates, as researchers try to learn more about what causes early-onset colorectal cancer.

Up from 11% in 1995, 20% of new colorectal cancer cases in 2019 were in people younger than 55, according to the American Cancer Society.