Why are more young people getting colon cancer?
Abstract PR003: Exploring the exposome impact in early-onset colon and rectal cancer using methylation scores
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Picloram, an herbicide not classified as a known human carcinogen (IARC Group 3), showed strong epigenetic correlation with early-onset colorectal cancer.
Most public health focus is on smoking or processed meat—this study implicates a widely used agricultural chemical with no official cancer warning, yet it left a detectable molecular signature in tumors.
Practical Takeaways
Choose organic produce when possible, especially if you live in a high-agriculture county, and prioritize a Mediterranean diet to reduce exposure to environmental toxins linked to methylation changes.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Picloram, an herbicide not classified as a known human carcinogen (IARC Group 3), showed strong epigenetic correlation with early-onset colorectal cancer.
Most public health focus is on smoking or processed meat—this study implicates a widely used agricultural chemical with no official cancer warning, yet it left a detectable molecular signature in tumors.
Practical Takeaways
Choose organic produce when possible, especially if you live in a high-agriculture county, and prioritize a Mediterranean diet to reduce exposure to environmental toxins linked to methylation changes.
Publication
Journal
Clinical Cancer Research
Year
2025
Authors
S. C. Maas, I. Baraibar, L. Lemler, M. Butjosa-Espín, Odei Blanco Irazuegui, J. Tabernero, E. Élez, Jose A Seoane
Related Content
Claims (6)
People exposed to the herbicide picloram may show distinct patterns of DNA methylation in colorectal tumors that develop at an early age.
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.
People who develop colorectal cancer at a younger age show different patterns of DNA methylation compared to those who develop it later in life, and these differences are linked to long-term environmental factors like smoking, lower education levels, and diets that are not Mediterranean.
DNA methylation patterns in blood and tumor samples can be used to estimate a person's past exposure to environmental factors like smoking, education level, and diet in studies of colorectal cancer.
People who develop colorectal cancer at a younger age show different DNA methylation patterns than those who develop it later in life, suggesting that environmental factors may play a larger role in cancer development among younger people.