Ultra-Processed Foods & Colorectal Cancer Risk

Summary

This project investigates the connection between ultra-processed foods and the risk of developing colorectal cancer, a prevalent type of cancer in the United States. Colorectal cancer often starts as benign polyps in the colon or rectum, which can progress into adenocarcinomas. The study highlights the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods in the American diet, constituting over 63% of daily intake, and links this with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. Ultra-processed foods, classified in the NOVA food classification system, include items like packaged snacks, sweets, and ready-to-eat meals, which contain high levels of added sugars, fats, preservatives, and food dyes. Research from three large cohorts in the U.S. revealed that men who consumed the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods had a 29% increased risk of colorectal cancer, though this correlation was not observed in women. The study also underscores the importance of regular screening for colorectal cancer, especially since the disease is often asymptomatic in its early stages, making early detection challenging.

Colorectal Cancer Progression (Figure representation created by the author: Anna Jiang)

Video Presentation

Impact Statement

My name is Anna Jiang, and I'm a freshman at BEST Homeschool in Fairbanks, Alaska. For my research project at ELIO Academy, I chose to explore how ultra-processed foods can impact the risk of developing colorectal cancer. I thought it would be interesting to learn about how everyday factors like food can influence our health. My project gives a background of this disease, delves into a cohort study that investigates the correlation between ultra-processed food intake and colorectal cancer risk, covers treatment plans, and discusses areas for future research. Overall, this program has helped me to dive deeper into the field of genetics and genomics. Each session increased my interest in biomedical science, and the lectures were all very informative and intriguing.

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_By: Anna Jiang_

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Elio Academy.

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