A recent study has found a strong link between a DNA-damaging toxin called colibactin and colon cancer in younger patients.
The toxin, produced by certain strains of E. coli and other bacteria, may seed mutations in gut cells that increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
While the study shows a significant association, it cannot definitively prove that colibactin causes cancer at a younger age.
Researchers believe that a combination of environmental factors, including diet and lifestyle, may be contributing to the rise in colorectal cancer cases among young people.
Further research is needed to understand the complex interactions between gut microbes, toxins like colibactin, and cancer development.
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