According to the World Health Organization, colon and rectum cancer was the second most common cause of cancer death in 2024. Of greatest concern to physicians is the steady increase in the number of cases among younger adults. Often, these cases are not detected at an early stage as there is no automatic screening for people under the age of 50 in many countries, yet this cancer has also shown itself to be more aggressive among this age group.
Mark your calendar: Regular screening is the most effective way to detect colorectal cancer early and prevent the disease. (AI-generated image.)
National screening programs are important for improving the detection of colorectal cancers. In recent years some countries, including Australia, have reduced the entry age for national bowel screening programs from 50 to 45 with the aim of increasing earlier detection.
For many people, however, the invasiveness of colonoscopies can be a deterrent to seeking screening. Fortunately, there are new non-invasive methods for screening such as fecal DNA testing which looks for abnormal changes in the DNA, called DNA methylation, which are associated with the development of cancer. The analysis of stool samples using this test can identify these abnormal changes and indicate the presence of colorectal cancer or pre-cancer growths.
BGI Group has combined fecal DNA methylation with ultra-high throughput sequencing to evaluate around 800,000 eligible residents aged 45-64 in Harbin, China, and in 2024 opened the BGI-Heilongjiang Omics Health Axis Intelligent Laboratory in Harbin to focus on large-scale genomic screening, precision medicine, and disease prevention. By integrating genomics, advanced imaging and real-time health data, the lab sets a new standard for early detection and large-scale disease prevention.
BGI’s work in this area is a natural extension of the research it led in 2010 that established a human gut microbial gene catalog through metagenomic sequencing, and in 2019 to BGI publishing the world’s largest collection of gut bacterial genomes, the Culturable Genome Reference, furthering scientists’ knowledge of genomes in the human gut and providing a comprehensive genetic reference for exploring microbial composition and function.
Reducing the Risk
In the absence of comprehensive screening programs there are still steps that everyone can take in terms of lifestyle choices that can help reduce the risk of getting colorectal cancer.
The Cancer Research Institute in the U.S. highlights the following things we can all do:
• Follow a healthy diet that emphasizes fiber, fruits and vegetables, while reducing processes and red meats.
• Ensure regular physical activity and avoid a sedentary lifestyle in order to support colon health.
• Quit smoking and moderate alcohol intake.
• Understand your family history. A history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps increases your risk and should be discussed with a doctor.
Understanding these risks can help empower anyone to address them, hopefully saving lives.
Changing Treatments
Meanwhile, advances are also being made in the treatment of colorectal cancer helped by precision medicine which enables treatment to be tailored to the genetic and molecular characteristics of an individual patient’s tumor, rather than relying on tumor location and stage.
Not only can this result in more effective treatment selection but also reduced exposure to ineffective therapies and better prediction of recurrence risk.
Despite all the advancements happening in screening and treatment there is still no magic bullet to prevent or cure colorectal cancer. One day there may well be, but currently increasing the awareness of colorectal cancer, living healthily and seeking regular screening and at an earlier age are the first steps of lowering your risk of colorectal cancer.