A medical expert has provided insight into what might be contributing to cancer in younger individuals as they consider the case of one twin being diagnosed with this serious illness while the other remains unaffected.
Cancer can have a profound impact on people’s lives, and although advances in treatments and medications have improved our approach to the disease, there remains much to learn about it.
A physician has contemplated the potential reasons behind one twin developing stage 4 colon cancer while her sibling did not.
Dr. Mark Lewis, a cancer survivor and director of gastrointestinal oncology at Intermountain Health, highlighted the ongoing research within the scientific community regarding the causes of colon cancer.
The American Cancer Society has noted an increasing trend of people under 50 being diagnosed with colon cancer.
Dr. Lewis stated, “There really is unfortunately no such thing as too young for colon cancer. About one in seven of the patients in my practice with colon cancer are under the age of 45.”
Addressing the rise in cases, the doctor suggested that lifestyle factors, genetics, and worryingly, certain medications taken at a young age might be contributing factors.
He explained, “Antibiotics in childhood and in adulthood can affect the bacteria that line the colon.”
“We’re being very, very careful about prescribing antibiotics to young people because we do know there is at least a slight increased risk for colon cancer decades later.”
He further added, “If you are willing to talk to your doctor about your gut health, I promise you we are going to be better at finding colon cancer sooner.”
This information might shed light on why Brinlee Luster from Utah developed colon cancer, unlike her twin sister Mariela. The sisters have not disclosed any specific details regarding their antibiotic use in childhood.
The twins were accustomed to doing everything together; however, in 2023, Brinlee faced a challenge that her sister did not.
Two years ago, at the age of 21, Brinlee began experiencing ‘severe abdominal cramping’ and fatigue, which were new to her.
Before her cancer diagnosis, doctors considered multiple potential causes for her symptoms, including her birth control and irritable bowel syndrome.
In an interview with KSL TV, Brinlee admitted she initially dismissed the pains, attributing them to stress rather than a significant health concern.
She remarked, “I just thought, you know, I’m stressed, I’m planning my wedding, I’m about to graduate college, there’s a lot of changes.”
However, as her symptoms progressed, she underwent a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with colon cancer.
Following her diagnosis, Brinlee has completed 30 chemotherapy sessions and is currently believed to be free of cancer.
Mariela subsequently had a colonoscopy, during which polyps, potential precursors to cancer, were removed. She now credits her sister with saving her life.
She expressed, “I like to think that she really did save my life in a way because I was headed down that route.”