A HIDDEN condition suffered by one in five Brits has been linked to one of the fastest growing cancers in young people in the UK.
Having (NAFLD) – a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver, usually seen in people who are overweight and obese – may raise the risk of early-onset , a new study suggests.
Suffered by around13 millionpeople in the UK, NAFLD often presents with no symptoms and increases the likelihood of developing a range of issues, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 .
Now, scientists say the condition causes inflammation in the body that can lead to .
The team of researchers found people under the age of 50 with a history of NAFLD were up to 24 per cent at greater risk of bowel cancer than those with no history of liver disease.
Those who showed early signs of the disease had a 12 per cent greater risk than people with no history of the condition.
They suggested the inflammation caused by NAFLD may travel to the bowel, damaging cell DNA and leading to the formation of cancer cells.
Nearly five million adults aged 20 to 49 took part in the study.
Men living with NAFLD were also found to be 17 per cent more likely than women to be to get bowel cancer
The researchers suggested this is because men are more likely to and be – risk factors for liver disease.
They wrote: “Our findings revealed a strong link between NAFLD and early-onset colorectal [bowel] cancer in young adults, suggesting the importance of implementing effective preventative strategies, particularly in populations with a growing burden of metabolic dysfunction.”;;
While the team from said more research is needed, they recommended early bowel cancer screening for people with NAFLD.
What causes NAFLD?
There are a number of factors that can cause a build-up of fat in the liver.
Being overweight or obese, especially with excess , is a major risk factor, as it increases the amount of fat in the liver.
High blood sugar levels and insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes are strong risk factors for NAFLD – when cells don’t respond properly to insulin, it can lead to increased fat production and accumulation in the liver.
Elevated , especially triglycerides, in the blood can also contribute to fat buildup in the liver.
Other contributing factors include a diet high in , , and unhealthy fats, a , and having .
Bowel cancer screening in the UK
Bowel cancer screeningthrough the NHSis available to individuals aged 50 to 74 who are registered with a GP in .
The screening involves a home test kit (FIT kit) that’s sent to the individual every two years.
It looks for blood in a sample of your poo – a sign of bowel cancer.
If you are 75 or older, you can still participate by requesting a home test kit by calling the Bowel Cancer Screening helpline 0800 707 6060.
While the NHS only recently lowered the in and , some individuals and organisations are pushing for even earlier screening, with some suggesting 30 as a potential lower limit.
Bowel cancer rates are rising among people under 50 in the UK, particularly in England.
While the exact reasons are still being investigated, experts point to factors like poor diet, , and potentially even .
A study published in the Lancet Oncology reported that England saw one of the steepest increases in bowel cancer rates among young adults compared to other countries.
