Due to changing dietary patterns, colorectal cancer is no longer a disease solely affecting those over 50. The trend toward younger patients is becoming increasingly severe. A tragic case recently emerged in mainland China involving a 12-year-old boy who frequently replaced meals with snacks, a habit indulged and left unchecked by his grandparents. He eventually sought medical help for unbearable abdominal pain, only to be diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer—a devastating outcome that left his family filled with regret.
Grandparents' Indulgence: 12-Year-Old's Diet of Fried Chicken, Instant Noodles, and Spicy Snacks Leads to Late-Stage Cancer Diagnosis
According to comprehensive Chinese media reports, a 12-year-old boy from Zhengzhou, Henan, had experienced recurring symptoms for several months, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss. His family initially dismissed these as common gastroenteritis, self-medicating him with over-the-counter drugs. Only recently, when his symptoms worsened to include blood in his stool and severe abdominal pain, did the family realize the gravity of the situation and rush him to the hospital.
Upon examination, doctors found the boy to be unusually thin and pale, requiring assistance to stand. The subsequent tests revealed a devastating truth: advanced cancer with multiple abdominal metastases and significant ascites (fluid buildup). The optimal window for treatment had already passed, leaving the family utterly devastated and remorseful.
It turns out the boy had been primarily raised by his grandparents, developed extremely picky eating habits, and rarely drank water. Out of doting affection, his grandparents never discouraged him from replacing regular meals with snacks or substituting water with soft drinks and milk tea. Whenever the boy cried or threw a tantrum, they would buy him snacks.
This led to long-term dietary indulgence, where junk food like spicy gluten sticks (latiao), instant noodles, and fried chicken replaced nutritious meals. His diet was high in oil and salt, with virtually no fruits or vegetables, resulting in severe nutritional imbalance and creating the underlying conditions for cancerous changes.
The attending physician explained that frequent consumption of sugary drinks continuously disrupts the balance of gut bacteria, while carcinogens in fried and processed foods damage the intestinal lining. This extreme dietary pattern keeps the gut in a state of chronic inflammation, increasing the risk of abnormal cell growth. Children's intestines are naturally more delicate than adults' and simply cannot withstand such daily assault, ultimately leading to this tragedy.
Colorectal Cancer Cases in Under-35s Have Doubled
Research published last year indicated a surge in colorectal cancer patients under 35 globally. Cases among younger individuals rose from approximately 22,000 in 1990 to 41,500 in 2019—nearly doubling over three decades. The gender distribution was 61% male and 39% female. Researchers pointed out that the factors driving cancer in young people are primarily linked to poor diet, such as insufficient calcium and milk intake, as well as obesity.
Studies have found that drinking one 240ml glass of milk daily can reduce colorectal cancer risk by 17%. Additionally, obesity can lead to insulin dysregulation and immune system dysfunction, increasing the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Research further reveals that nearly 10% of global colorectal cancer deaths are associated with obesity.
What Symptoms Might Indicate Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Hong Kong. According to the Cancer Online Resource Centre, early-stage colorectal cancer may be completely asymptomatic, but some common signs relate to changes in bowel habits. These include persistent constipation or diarrhea, feeling of incomplete evacuation after bowel movements, blood in the stool, black or tarry stools, mucus in the stool, or rectal bleeding. Stools may become thin and pencil-like. Other possible accompanying symptoms include unexplained weight loss, abdominal bloating, intestinal cramps, cold extremities, fatigue, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, pale complexion, and dizziness.
Who Is at Higher Risk for Colorectal Cancer?
The centre reminds that healthy lifestyle choices and regular screening can help prevent and detect colorectal cancer early. The following five groups have higher risk:
- Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits: Insufficient dietary fiber, high consumption of red and processed meat, physical inactivity, obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking.
- Inherited Bowel Conditions: Such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome.
- Chronic Bowel Inflammation: Conditions like ulcerative colitis.
- Personal History of Polyps: Previous colorectal polyps.
- Family History of Colorectal Cancer: Especially in first-degree relatives (parents, siblings, or children).
