Sunday 01/February/2026 – 05:50 AM
A recent scientific study revealed that chronic inflammation in the intestine may cause silent physical changes in the colon, making its tissues more solid, which may pave the way for the emergence of colorectal cancer at an early age.
Intestinal problems increase the incidence of colon diseases
According to what was published by The Sun website, colon tissue in people with early colon cancer appeared firmer, even in areas that appeared healthy and not affected by cancer.
Dr. Imina Huang, a professor of surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern, said that these results represent an important step towards understanding the reasons behind the alarming rise in colon cancer rates among young people, and opening new horizons for early diagnosis and treatment.
Colon cancer that appears after the age of fifty is known as conventional colon cancer, and its incidence and mortality rates have declined significantly over the past three decades.
On the other hand, cases of early colon cancer, that is, before the age of 50, have risen sharply, accounting for about 12% of the total cases of colon cancer in the United States since 2020.
Although previous studies have linked this increase to factors such as obesity, lifestyle, and nutrition, the exact biological mechanisms have remained unclear.
The study showed that chronic inflammation may lead, over time, to scarring of colon tissue, which increases its rigidity, and this phenomenon is known for its role in the development of other cancers, such as breast and pancreatic cancer.
The researchers analyzed colon samples from 33 patients, including 14 with early colon cancer and 19 with conventional colon cancer.
The results showed that the younger patients’ colon tissue was firmer, not only within the tumors, but also in surrounding tissue that appeared healthy.
The researchers also observed clear differences in the structure of collagen, which is an essential protein in connective tissue. It was found that the collagen in people with early colon cancer was denser, more organized, and more mature, indicating the presence of widespread scarring.
