A new study reveals that body mass index (BMI) during early life profoundly affects the risk of developing colorectal cancer later in life. By examining 37 studies, researchers found that an increase in BMI in young adults can elevate risk significantly, with teenagers and even toddlers being affected. Notably, being overweight at birth was linked to an increased risk. Experts emphasize the importance of understanding cancer's early origins for improved prevention strategies, especially given the trend of rising colorectal cancer among individuals under 50 years.
Although the relationship between adult body size and colorectal cancer risk is well-documented, the potential influence of measures of body size during early life is less understood.
Cancer is a complex disease which develops over several decades, so better understanding of its early origins is critical for more effective prevention efforts and understanding the research gaps.
The results of this study show that raised body mass index across childhood through young adulthood is an important risk factor for colorectal cancer.
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