Key Study and Findings

A major study by Mass General Brigham, published in the journal JAMA Oncology, analyzed data from nearly 30,000 women aged 25 to 42 over two decades.

  • Risk Increase: Women who consumed the most ultra-processed foods (the top 20%) had a 45% higher risk of developing adenomas (precancerous polyps) compared to those who ate the least.
  • Dose-Response: The findings indicated a direct link, with the risk rising as UPF intake increased. The connection was strongest for conventional adenomas, the most common starting point for colorectal cancer.

For decades, colorectal cancer was seen as an older person’s disease. It was something to worry about near retirement, not while building a career or raising a young family. However, the medical landscape has changed a lot in the last thirty years.

Doctors are finding an alarming number of people under age 50 with colon cancer. This trend puzzles experts and scares the public. Is it genetic? Is it environmental?

A major new study by researchers from Mass General Brigham suggests the answer is in our diet. Specifically, it points to the consumption of “ultra-processed foods.”

At Bionicc Body Screening, we believe that understanding these risks is the first step toward proactive health defense.

What Are Ultra-Processed Foods?

To understand the risk, we need to define the cause. Most food is processed a little, like cooking an egg. However, ultra-processed foods are different. They are industrial creations far removed from their original ingredients.

Factories make these products using ingredients you rarely find in a kitchen. These include high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and chemical preservatives to make them last longer.

Examples of common ultra-processed foods include:

  • Beverages: Sugary sodas and energy drinks.
  • Snacks: Packaged chips, crackers, and mass-produced cookies.
  • Meals: Ready-to-eat frozen dinners, instant noodles, and soups.
  • Meats: Processed meats like hot dogs, sausages, and deli slices.
  • Breakfast: Sweetened cereals.

These foods are engineered to be easy and tasty. But new research shows this convenience comes at a steep price for our long-term health.

Inside the Study: A 45% Increase in Risk

This study was published in the famous medical journal JAMA Oncology. It used data from the Nurses’ Health Study II. It tracked nearly 30,000 women for over 20 years.

The study focused on women aged 25 to 42. This is the exact group facing rising rates of early-onset cancer. Researchers looked at the link between diet and adenomas (precancerous polyps).

Key Findings:

  • High Risk: Women who ate the most ultra-processed foods (top 20%) had a 45% higher risk of developing adenomas compared to those who ate the least.
  • Dose-Response: As processed food intake went up, the risk went up. This suggests a direct link.
  • Specific Danger: The link was strongest for “conventional adenomas.” These are the most common starts to colorectal cancer. [Read JAMA Oncology Study Abstract]

Why Are These Foods Dangerous? The Biological Impact

The study was observational. However, scientists have identified several biological reasons why these foods might cause tumors.

1. Chronic Inflammation

Ultra-processed foods are usually high in sugar and unhealthy fats. They are low in fiber. This mix fuels chronic inflammation in the body. Inflammation is a known driver of cancer cell growth.

2. Disruption of the Gut Microbiome

A healthy colon needs a diverse microbiome. Fiber from whole foods feeds this. Ultra-processed foods starve good bacteria. They encourage harmful strains. This chemical imbalance can damage the protective lining of the colon.

3. Chemical Additives

Additives like emulsifiers and artificial sweeteners improve texture and shelf life. Animal studies show these can negatively interact with the gut lining. They may damage cells directly.

Beyond Diet: The Critical Importance of Screening

This study is a wake-up call about diet. But it also shows why cancer screening is vital. The women in this study found these risks because they had endoscopies before age 50.

Early-onset cancer is often silent. It strikes people who look active and feel healthy. You might be young. You might have no family history. But invisible factors, like long-term dietary habits, can silently raise your risk.

Proactive Steps for Your Health:

  • Know the Symptoms: Never ignore changes in bathroom habits, blood in the stool, constant stomach pain, or unexplained weight loss.
  • Standard Guidelines: Regular colon cancer screening usually starts at age 45. But if you have a high-risk diet or symptoms, see a doctor sooner.
  • Comprehensive Insight: At Bionicc Body Screening, our mission is to help you catch problems early. That is when they are most treatable.

Practical Steps to Lower Your Risk

The news is scary, but it is also empowering. By adjusting what we eat, we can potentially lower the risk of developing dangerous polyps.

  • Shop the Perimeter: Stick to the outside walls of the grocery store. That is where fresh produce, meats, and dairy are kept. Avoid the middle aisles full of boxed, processed items.
  • Read the Labels: Look at the ingredient list. If it reads like a chemistry experiment (e.g., “hydrolyzed protein,” “high-fructose corn syrup”), put it back.
  • Swap, Don’t Stop: Replace sugary sodas with sparkling water and lemon. Swap chips for nuts or fruit.
  • Cook at Home: Make simple meals like grilled chicken and steamed vegetables. These offer much more protection for your colon than “gourmet” frozen dinners.

Take Action for Your Future

The rise in early-onset cancer is a public health crisis. Ultra-processed foods appear to be a “smoking gun.” While these foods are engineered for profit, your body is resilient.

Reducing your intake can help. Choosing fiber-rich, whole options can improve your gut health.

However, diet is only one piece of the puzzle. Combine a healthy lifestyle with proactive health screenings. This gives you the best armor against disease.

The Full Body MRI in Southfield, Michigan

A full body MRI screening from Bionicc Body Screening in Southfield, Michigan evaluates the body from the top of the head through the pelvis. Scans evaluate all the major organs from the brain through the reproductive organs, including the spine. The full body MRI is quite comprehensive and can detect hundreds of abnormalities including risk of stroke, fatty liver, organ cysts, hiatal hernias, spinal disc disease and tumors in stage one.

However, there are limitations to full body MRI screenings.

They do not replace routine screenings ordered by your physician like colonoscopies or mammograms. They are limited on the evaluation of the bowel and cannot detect polyps. You should never skip the recommended screenings that are available through your doctor.

Routine Screenings Only Detect 29% of Cancers

There are five recommended cancer screenings that doctors order. These include breast, cervical, lungs, prostate and colorectal. The problem is that these only detect 29% of cancers and 71% of cancers occur in other areas. This is why MRI full body scans are so powerful. They evaluate the enormous blind spot that is left by routine cancer screenings.

Ready to take control of your health? At Bionicc Body Screening, we are dedicated to helping you understand your body’s unique risks. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear.

Schedule Your Full Body MRI Screening at Bionicc Body Screening Today

Sources:

  • Mass General Brigham: “Study Finds Adults Who Consumed More Ultra-Processed Foods Had Higher Rates of Precursors of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer.”
  • NBC News: “Ultra-processed foods linked to increased risk of precancerous polyps, study finds.”
  • JAMA Oncology: “Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Risk of Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer Precursors Among Women.”3

Last Updated: December 3, 2025

Author: The Bionicc Body Screening Team