(WSVN) – Growing health concerns are threatening the lives of young people across the country, including right here in South Florida. Local doctors are racing to find the key to stopping this deadly cancer crisis. 7’s Heather Walker investigates.
Although Naike Wolbe appears to be in perfect health, she is in the fight for her life.
Nike Wolbe: “I was only 31 years old, but this seems unrealistic and impossible.”
Just weeks after giving birth to her second daughter, Naike was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.
Nike Volbe: “I immediately thought the worst. I was like, ‘I’m going to die.'”
She is one of the thousands of adults between the ages of 20 and 49 who develop the disease each year.
Naike Wolbe: “I broke down in tears many times. I have to say it was very difficult. It was fleeting. It was difficult.”
The American Cancer Society says the incidence of colon cancer among young adults has nearly doubled over the past 30 years.
Dr. Daniel Sussman: “This is a trend that has been observed for several years, but it’s only recently that it’s really gotten a lot of attention.”
Dr. Daniel Sussman treated Naike at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. He says many times that young patients don’t realize they have cancer until it’s in the terminal stages.
Dr. Daniel Sussman: “So if you’re diagnosed with an advanced-stage cancer, you’re more likely to die from it than if it was caught early.”
A big concern for doctors is what is causing the alarming increase in colon cancer rates. Here at Sylvester, we believe the answer may lie in your gut.
Dr. Maria Abreu, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center: “Something has changed in the microbiome that is causing chronic inflammation in the (gastrointestinal) tract.”
Dr. Maria Abreu recently received a grant to study this rise in colon cancer. She believes that chemicals and bacteria in processed foods make enzymes in the gut work harder. That causes ongoing inflammation, which can lead to cancer.
Dr. Maria Abreu: “These ultra-processed foods cause a lot of noise in the microbial system.”
Even foods that we think are good for us can be problematic.
Dr. Maria Abreu: “Things like added emulsifiers, things that are creamy, fat-free yogurt, all these things can really change the gut microbiome.”
Dr. Abreu and her team are working to develop new tests to help prevent intestinal inflammation from leading to cancer.
Dr. Maria Abreu: “We can see that this person has leaky gut and their microbiome is abnormal. We need to try to address that.”
Until that happens, doctors recommend reducing your intake of processed foods and eating as healthy as possible.
Dr. Maria Abreu: “I tell my patients that anything in a bag with an expiration date of next year is not food.”
Naike is now cancer-free and focused on the future.
Nike Volbe: “How can I avoid going through this again?”
And more importantly, how will she prevent her children from facing the same battles?
Heather Walker, 7News.
Contact 7 investigates:
305-627-CLUE
954-921-CLUE
[email protected]
Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
