New Delhi, Feb. 26 -- Colorectal cancer is now one of the fastest-growing types, a US-based gastroenterologist said, noting that the early-onset cancers, under age 50, have risen nearly 80% worldwide over the past 30 years.

In a viral Instagram post, Dr Saurabh Sethi, a Harvard-certified Gastroenterologist, shared one common pattern in all the cases of early-onset colorectal cancers - Ultra-processed foods.

"A large JAMA Oncology study linked higher intake of ultra-processed foods with increased colorectal cancer risk markers," he said.

Dr Sethi also said that women consuming the highest amounts of ultra-processed food, about 1/3of daily calories, had 45% higher risk of precancerous colon polyps. "Polyps are often the earliest step tow...