Researchers say new technology could help uncover how environmental chemicals may be linked to rising cases of early-onset colorectal cancer, but they caution that current findings are still uncertain.
A study published in Nature Medicine found a possible association between the herbicide picloram and colorectal cancer in younger adults. The research used molecular fingerprinting, an epigenetic method that examines how environmental exposures can alter gene activity.
However, lead researcher Kimmie Ng emphasized important limitations. The study relied on self-reported pesticide exposure, which may be inaccurate, and included only men of European ancestry. There is also no clear biological mechanism proving picloram causes cancer, and key details about exposure timing and duration are missing.
Despite these gaps, researchers say studying the “exposome,” or lifelong environmental exposures, could help identify factors driving the increase in colorectal cancer among people under 50.