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v1
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correlational
Analysis v1
Strong Support

People exposed to the herbicide picloram may show distinct patterns of DNA methylation in colorectal tumors that develop at an early age.

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Evidence from Studies

Supporting (3)

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Community contributions welcome

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Epigenetic fingerprints link early-onset colon and rectal cancer to pesticide exposure

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Human
2026 May

This study found that people who were exposed to a herbicide called picloram were more likely to get colon cancer at a young age, and their cancer cells showed unique chemical marks on their DNA—like a fingerprint—linked to that exposure.

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Epigenetic fingerprints link early-onset colon and rectal cancer to pesticide exposure

Case-Control Study
Human
2026 May

This study found that people who were exposed to a herbicide called picloram were more likely to get colon cancer at a young age, and their DNA showed unique chemical changes that may explain why. It’s like finding a fingerprint left behind by the chemical.

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Abstract PR003: Exploring the exposome impact in early-onset colon and rectal cancer using methylation scores

Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Human

This study found that people with early-onset colon cancer who were exposed to a herbicide called picloram had unique changes in their DNA methylation patterns, which are like biological tags that can show environmental exposure. It’s like finding a fingerprint of picloram in the cancer cells.

Contradicting (0)

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No contradicting evidence found

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According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Similar Assertions

People diagnosed with colorectal cancer before age 50 show different DNA methylation patterns linked to picloram herbicide exposure compared to those diagnosed at age 70 or older, suggesting a possible environmental association with earlier disease onset.

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86%

People exposed to the herbicide picloram have a higher statistical likelihood of developing colorectal cancer before age 50 compared to those who develop it after age 70, based on patterns of DNA methylation observed in patient samples.

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82%

Scientists found that changes in gene activity in heart muscle cells exposed to picloram can be used to create a molecular score that matches picloram exposure levels in colorectal tumors, suggesting that exposure signals from one tissue can be detected in another.

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81%

Higher use of the herbicide picloram in a geographic area is linked to higher rates of early-onset colorectal cancer, based on molecular changes in tumor tissue and population data adjusted for other factors.

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80%

People exposed to picloram may develop colorectal cancer at a younger age, and this link is not simply because they are younger; it is tied to a specific biological pattern in the tumors called the SBS1 mutational signature.

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77%

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