{"id":9775,"date":"2025-02-27T12:45:47","date_gmt":"2025-02-27T11:45:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/?p=9775"},"modified":"2025-02-27T18:20:59","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T17:20:59","slug":"chronicle-colon-cancer-debate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is the incidence of colon cancer on the rise among young people?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c3QEf1bARYk?si=vzgmb1XCTlI1ouaU\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><b>Colorectal cancer will once again be one of the most commonly diagnosed types of tumour in Spain this year.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/seom.org\/otros-servicios\/noticias\/210914-la-oncologia-personalizada-de-precision-reto-para-tratar-a-los-296-103-nuevos-casos-de-cancer-en-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(SEOM<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), 44,573 new cases will be detected in Spain this year. Worldwide, <\/span><b>the incidence of this disease has doubled in the past 20 years, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">affecting more and more people under the age of 50. This trend is particularly worrying in some Western countries, where factors such as changes in diet and lifestyle, lack of exercise, alterations in the gut microbiome and exposure to certain adverse environmental factors may be playing a key role.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is causing the increase in cases among young people and how can we reduce these numbers?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the last <\/span><b>CaixaResearch Debate <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">we examined<\/span><b> the situation of colon cancer: the challenges presented by its early diagnosis and treatment and the latest advances in this field<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with the<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help of four leading researchers:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Eduard Batlle<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ICREA researcher, head of the Colorectal Cancer laboratory at IRB Barcelona and group leader at CIBER Cancer (CIBERONC), is working to understand how tumour cells generate metastasis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ang\u00e9lica Figueroa<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, R4 researcher, leader of the Epithelial Plasticity and Metastasis group at the Institute of Biomedical Research (INBIC) of the University Hospital Complex of A Coru\u00f1a (CHUAC). With the support of &#8220;la Caixa&#8221; Foundation\u2019s Innovation programme, she\u2019s developing a drug to stop colon cancer metastasis.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Toni Gabald\u00f3n <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is an ICREA researcher and leader of the Comparative Genomics lab at IRB Barcelona and the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC). He\u2019s currently working on a project <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supported by CaixaImpulse <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to develop a non-invasive early detection system that combines gut microbiota analysis with artificial intelligence algorithms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Elena \u00c9lez, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical oncologist at the Vall d&#8217;Hebron University Hospital in Barcelona (HUVH) and head of the Colorectal Cancer group at the Vall d&#8217;Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), where she\u2019s working on developing new therapies to treat metastatic colon cancer.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below we review <\/span><b>the main ideas <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">discussed by the four experts during the debate, chaired by <\/span><b>Beatriz P\u00e9rez<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a health journalist at <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">El Peri\u00f3dico de Catalunya.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><i>Understanding colon cancer<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What is colon cancer?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The colon is the longest part of the large intestine and is lined internally by a layer of cells called the mucosa. Over the years, this mucosa has a tendency to develop generally benign structures, known as polyps or adenomas. However, certain mutations can alter their behaviour and cause the cells to begin to infiltrate the intestinal wall, giving rise to <\/span><b>adenocarcinoma of the colon, the most common type of tumour in this area<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8221; &#8211; Elena \u00c9lez<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The intestinal mucosa is the fastest regenerating tissue in our body. Thanks to stem cells, the entire wall of the intestine regenerates almost every week. When certain mutations occur, this balance between cell death and regeneration breaks down and cells start to accumulate. Initially, they\u2019re benign (half the population over the age of 50 develops some of these benign polyps) but, over time, they can progress and transform into a more aggressive tumour\u201d &#8211; Eduard Batlle<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>How prevalent is colon cancer?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>&#8220;Colon cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with 1.9 million new cases per year, and it\u2019s the second most deadly. In Spain, it\u2019s the second most common tumour in men after prostate cancer, and in women after breast cancer, with more than 44,500 cases diagnosed each year. It accounts for around 10% of all cancer cases and causes approximately 11,000 deaths per year, being the second most deadly after lung cancer\u201d &#8211; Angelica Figueroa<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9807\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Angelica Figueroa.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Cases are also on the rise in our country. This trend is mainly due to <\/span><b>an increase in the number of cases detected<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> thanks to the population screening programme but also to <\/span><b>an<\/b> <b>increase in risk factors associated with living habits<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle. One worrying fact is the increase in cases in people under 50 in some countries, such as the United States and New Zealand. Although this trend has not been confirmed yet in Spain by the data registered, it\u2019s an aspect we\u2019re beginning to notice in consultations and we\u2019re keeping a close eye on it&#8221; &#8211; Elena \u00c9lez<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><i>Symptoms, screening and early detection<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What are the symptoms of colon cancer?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>&#8220;It\u2019s essential to be aware of possible changes in our bowel habits. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While constipation alone is not a risk factor, a sustained tendency to suffer from constipation or, conversely, frequent episodes of diarrhoea should be a reason to consult a doctor. There are also more obvious symptoms, such as <\/span><b>blood in the stool, persistent fatigue accompanied by anaemia or unexplained weight loss. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, any prolonged alteration in the usual pattern should be evaluated by a doctor&#8221; &#8211; Elena \u00c9lez<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Why does it tend to be detected late in young people?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The delay in diagnosis is due to several factors. Colon cancer <\/span><b>in young people is less common<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so that it doesn\u2019t tend to be suspected so readily, by doctors or by the patients themselves. What\u2019s more, <\/span><b>its symptoms are non-specific<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, making early detection difficult. In addition, <\/span><b>tumours in young people tend to be more aggressive and progress more quickly<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so they\u2019re generally at a more advanced stage once they\u2019re diagnosed\u201d &#8211; Ang\u00e9lica Figueroa<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What are two-step screening programmes?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;In Spain, colorectal cancer screening is offered to people aged 50-69, even if they have no symptoms. In a first phase, participants receive <\/span><b>a kit to collect a small stool sample<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which is then analysed at the hospital for the presence of haemoglobin, an indicator of possible bleeding in the bowel. <\/span><b>If the result is positive, a colonoscopy is performed<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a more detailed examination using a camera probe to detect any polyps, lesions or tumours&#8221; &#8211; Toni Gabald\u00f3n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9823\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog5-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog5-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog5-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog5-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog5-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog5-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Toni Gabald\u00f3n.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;This two-step approach combines a simple, inexpensive and non-invasive first test with a second, more accurate but also more costly and invasive test. Thanks to this system, numerous tumours and precancerous lesions have been detected, improving early diagnosis and increasing the likelihood of successful treatment and patient survival&#8221; &#8211; Toni Gabald\u00f3n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>How could the screening system be improved?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Screening is a highly valuable tool but it has its limitations. Its high cost and the need for a large number of tests place a considerable burden on the healthcare system. In addition, the false positive rate is high: about 5% of tests detect faecal occult blood but less than 30% of those cases who undergo a colonoscopy have a clinically relevant abnormality. If we could reduce these false positives, we could extend screening to other population groups\u201d &#8211; Toni Gabald\u00f3n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;New biomarkers that are more specific than haemoglobin are being investigated to improve the efficacy of screening. At IRB Barcelona, we\u2019re studying the gut microbiota to identify bacteria associated with polyps and tumours. Using artificial intelligence, we\u2019re training an algorithm that helps to better select people who really need a colonoscopy, based on their microbial profile. This technique could reduce unnecessary colonoscopies by 30%, easing the burden on the healthcare system\u201d &#8211; Toni Gabald\u00f3n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Should screening be started at an earlier age?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Medicine should always be applied where it\u2019s the most efficient use of resources. The incidence of colorectal cancer is still much lower among people under 50. If we had more efficient screening systems, we could think about extending the age groups, especially if we end up finding that cases are indeed on the rise among the younger population&#8221; &#8211; Toni Gabald\u00f3n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Beyond screening at a younger age<\/span><b>, it\u2019s also essential to improve the participation rates for the existing programmes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The participation rate for the 50+ population is less than 100%, which limits its effectiveness. If we implement screening in younger people but only a small fraction of them actually come for testing, its real impact would be very small\u201d &#8211; Angelica Figueroa<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><i>What are the causes?<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>How important is the genetic factor in the disease\u2019s development?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;About 10% of colon cancers have some kind of genetic basis. Those who\u2019ve inherited these mutations have a very high probability of developing colon cancer but we\u2019re talking about a very small percentage of the population. Usually these families, because of their history, are already being specifically monitored. In general, the vast majority of colon cancers have a sporadic origin&#8221; &#8211; Eduard Batlle<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9815\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog3-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog3-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog3-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog3-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog3-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog3-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Elena \u00c9lez.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;We always try to look for a hereditary pattern, for family members who, generation after generation, have had one of these tumours. If this pattern exists, the patient is referred to a high-risk unit. In any case, the best recommendation is always to take part in the screening programme when it\u2019s your turn, because it is not always easy to know your family history&#8221; &#8211; Elena \u00c9lez<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>How does it relate to diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn&#8217;s disease?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;It has been shown that <\/span><b>inflammatory bowel diseases can be a risk factor for developing colorectal cancer<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, these patients are monitored to prevent its development and diagnose it early&#8221; &#8211; Elena \u00c9lez<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What is the role played by the microbiota?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The gut and mucosa where colon cancer develops is an ecosystem populated by a wide variety of microorganisms. This is, in fact, the area of the body where the human microbiome is the most diverse and abundant. These microbes are not simply present but also interact constantly with our mucosa. <\/span><b>Some of these interactions may encourage the development of a tumour, whilst others turn out to be more beneficial<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8221; &#8211; Toni Gabald\u00f3n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Although much remains to be understood, we know that <\/span><b>certain microorganisms interact more aggressively with our mucous membranes, creating inflammation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If this inflammation becomes chronic and persists over time, it can damage tissues. Moreover, some bacteria <\/span><b>release toxins <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that directly attack mucosal cells, <\/span><b>which could lead to mutations and increase the risk of tumours<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. We also know that this microbiological ecosystem is in a constant process of metabolisation, producing compounds that are sometimes used by tumour cells to accelerate their growth\u201d &#8211; Toni Gabald\u00f3n<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><i>The risk of metastasis and possible treatments<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>How does colon cancer spread and metastasise?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;These tumours grow first in the mucosal wall of the colon but some invade adjacent tissue and spread their cells through the bloodstream, eventually colonising other organs. <\/span><b>Surgery is an effective treatment for the primary tumour<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and most patients don\u2019t die from it. However, <\/span><b>the big challenge is metastasis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>as these cells can settle in vital organs such as the liver or lungs, making them difficult to treat.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Even some patients who come with a localised tumour that\u2019s removed end up developing metastases in a few years&#8221; &#8211; Eduard Batlle<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Essentially, this metastasis is initially invisible in the patient. After removing the primary tumour, we don&#8217;t know where these residual cells are or what they look like, and we don&#8217;t know how to remove them effectively. Half of all colon cancer metastases occur in the liver, approximately 25% in the lung and the same percentage in the peritoneum, which is the cavity occupied by our entrails\u201d &#8211; Eduard Batlle<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What percentage of patients develop metastases?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>&#8220;At the time of initial diagnosis, about 30% of patients already have metastasis. In addition, 50% of diagnosed patients develop metastases sooner or later.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These are much more difficult to treat and more resistant to conventional therapies, as well as involving vital organs. In fact, 90% of deaths from colorectal cancer are the result of metastasis&#8221; &#8211; Angelica Figueroa<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Why does metastasis occur?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Despite their clinical importance, we know less about metastases than about the primary tumour. Metastases occur when some tumour cells acquire the ability to invade tissues and travel through the blood to other organs, where they manage to establish themselves and form new tumours. However, only a small fraction of these cells survive to metastasise. We\u2019re now at a point <\/span><b>where we can begin to develop strategies to prevent or combat metastases more effectively. This is, without doubt, the biggest challenge in colon cancer research<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d &#8211; Eduard Batlle<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-9811\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog2-300x169.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog2-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog2-2048x1152.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><em>Eduard Batlle.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Our research group has focused on understanding the biology of these metastatic cells and the key factors in them spreading. We\u2019ve discovered that <\/span><b>their behaviour is different from that of the primary tumour: they have a great plastic capacity that enables them to migrate and adapt to different organs.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> One crucial finding in this process is the hakai protein, which seems to play a key role in this plasticity\u201d &#8211; Ang\u00e9lica Figueroa<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Thanks to funding from &#8220;la Caixa&#8221; Foundation, we\u2019re developing new compounds aimed at blocking the hakai protein and thereby slowing down metastasis. We\u2019re currently working on optimising these compounds for use in humans, with the hope that, in the next few years, they\u2019ll enter the regulatory phase and, subsequently, clinical trials. <\/span><b>These are complex, risky projects but they\u2019re fundamental, as we currently have no specific treatments for metastasis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d &#8211; Ang\u00e9lica Figueroa.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What treatments are available for metastasis?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The first step in treating metastasis is a thorough understanding of the biology of the tumour. By identifying the mutations and characteristics of each case, we can <\/span><b>select the most effective treatments and avoid those that will offer no benefit and only add unnecessary toxicity. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This strategy, known as <\/span><b>precision medicine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, is already being implemented in our healthcare system and it <\/span><b>combines chemotherapy <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(which<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is still essential in most cases) with <\/span><b>targeted therapies <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">such as monoclonal antibodies<\/span><b>&#8220;.<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;In our research, we\u2019ve identified a specific molecular alteration present in 5% of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: microsatellite instability. These tumours have a high rate of mutations that produce proteins which are detected by the immune system as foreign, facilitating the use of immunotherapy. Our studies have shown that, in these cases, <\/span><b>combining immunotherapy with other drugs is more effective than chemotherapy as a first line of treatment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;However, we\u2019ve observed that patients with liver metastasis respond worse to immunotherapy. We still need to understand why this happens and <\/span><b>develop therapeutic strategies to help overcome this resistance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Collaboration between different research groups is key to progress in this field&#8221; &#8211; Elena \u00c9lez<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Tissue biopsy, an invasive and painful procedure, has traditionally been used to determine which patients will respond best to which treatments. We\u2019re therefore exploring <\/span><b>alternative methods that allow us to study the tumour and its progression in a less aggressive way.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We\u2019ve developed an innovative sample analysis system. Using a liquid biopsy, we extract circulating tumour cells from the blood and implant them on a microchip, known as an <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">organ-on-chip<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which faithfully reproduces the characteristics of the tumour. This device provides us with an <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in vivo<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> model, enabling the disease to be monitored more precisely and helping to predict how it will develop. Thanks to this, we can adjust the treatment in a personalised way as the disease progresses&#8221; &#8211; Elena \u00c9lez<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b><i>Preventing colorectal cancer<\/i><\/b><\/h2>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>What behaviours can we adopt to prevent colon cancer?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;The most decisive factor <\/span><b>in improving the prognosis of this disease is its prevention<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. To do so, it\u2019s essential to adopt the habits of a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet that provides all the necessary nutrients and regularly carrying out moderate physical activity&#8221; &#8211; Elena \u00c9lez<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><b>Is stress linked to colon cancer?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Although stress per se has not been shown to promote the development of colon cancer, the factors mentioned above are closely related. <\/span><b>A person suffering from chronic or emotional stress may alter their diet and degree of physical activity, which could trigger inflammatory processes and facilitate the development of colorectal cancer. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is all related to the microbiome, a complex system that varies from person to person and changes throughout our lives. <\/span><b>To prevent colon cancer and its consequences, the key messages are: adopt a healthy lifestyle and carry out early diagnoses<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d \u2013 Elena \u00c9lez<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c3QEf1bARYk?si=vzgmb1XCTlI1ouaU\" width=\"400\" height=\"225\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\">\ufeff<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Colorectal cancer will once again be one of the most commonly diagnosed types of tumour in Spain this year.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology <a href=\"https:\/\/seom.org\/otros-servicios\/noticias\/210914-la-oncologia-personalizada-de-precision-reto-para-tratar-a-los-296-103-nuevos-casos-de-cancer-en-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(SEOM<\/a>), 44,573 new cases will be detected in Spain this year. Worldwide, the incidence of this disease has doubled in the past 20 years, affecting more and more people under the age of 50. This trend is particularly worrying in some Western countries, where factors such as changes in diet and lifestyle, lack of exercise, alterations in the gut microbiome and exposure to certain adverse environmental factors may be playing a key role.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>What is causing the increase in cases among young people and how can we reduce these numbers?\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[601,600],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9775","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-research","category-science-outreach"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Why is the incidence of colon cancer on the rise among young people? - Blog CaixaCi\u00e8ncia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Why is the incidence of colon cancer on the rise among young people? - Blog CaixaCi\u00e8ncia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\ufeff Colorectal cancer will once again be one of the most commonly diagnosed types of tumour in Spain this year. According to the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), 44,573 new cases will be detected in Spain this year. Worldwide, the incidence of this disease has doubled in the past 20 years, affecting more and more people under the age of 50. This trend is particularly worrying in some Western countries, where factors such as changes in diet and lifestyle, lack of exercise, alterations in the gut microbiome and exposure to certain adverse environmental factors may be playing a key role.\u00a0 What is causing the increase in cases among young people and how can we reduce these numbers?\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Blog CaixaCi\u00e8ncia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-27T11:45:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-27T17:20:59+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/CR_Debate_CancerColon_Blog_ANG-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ubikmedia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ubikmedia\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/\",\"name\":\"Why is the incidence of colon cancer on the rise among young people? - Blog CaixaCi\u00e8ncia\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog-300x169.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-27T11:45:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-27T17:20:59+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/#\/schema\/person\/2b9d5310c27055b4862191402c387fca\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog-300x169.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Blog-300x169.jpg\"},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/\",\"name\":\"Blog CaixaCi\u00e8ncia\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/#\/schema\/person\/2b9d5310c27055b4862191402c387fca\",\"name\":\"Ubikmedia\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ccc66bc497f8ba496f9d06e5a58a91de?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/ccc66bc497f8ba496f9d06e5a58a91de?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Ubikmedia\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/author\/ubikmedia\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Why is the incidence of colon cancer on the rise among young people? - Blog CaixaCi\u00e8ncia","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/blog.caixaresearch.org\/en\/chronicle-colon-cancer-debate\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Why is the incidence of colon cancer on the rise among young people? - Blog CaixaCi\u00e8ncia","og_description":"\ufeff Colorectal cancer will once again be one of the most commonly diagnosed types of tumour in Spain this year. 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