A concerning increase in a potentially fatal bacteria associated with colon cancer has alerted health officials.

According to new data, the prevalence of an uncommon strain of the diarrhea-causing bacteria E. coli increased nearly tenfold in just seven years.

Between 2016 and 2023, British researchers discovered that almost 9,000 persons in England had non-0157 shiga toxin-producing E. coli, or STEC, a strain of the bacteria associated to cancer.

The stomach bug proved deadly in nine cases.

The pathogen is primarily found in undercooked meat and ready-to-eat foods such chopped fruit and lettuce in sandwiches.

STEC killed over 280 individuals last year in an outbreak linked to ready-meal sandwiches that contained tainted lettuce grown in the UK.

A startling increase in colon cancer cases in people under 50 may be caused by E. coli, including STEC strains, according to new research released yesterday.

In tumors from people under 40, they discovered levels of colibactin, a toxin associated to cancer that is produced by specific strains like non-0157 STEC.  

According to new data gathered by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), researchers found that the number of E. coli strain cases has risen annually from 297 in 2016 to 2,341 in 2023.

The seven years have affected 9,311 people.

173 of these individuals developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a potentially fatal illness that can result in renal failure, and 840 of them needed hospitalization.

Writing in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, the researchers said, “Over the last decade, notifications of cases infected with non-O157 STEC in England have increased.”

“The data indicates a ‘true increase in the clinical and public health burden’ of the infection,” they continued, adding that the increase in incidence may be partially due to increased widespread testing.

It comes as alarming study revealed yesterday that E. coli might be the cause of an alarming increase in colon cancer incidence in those under 50, a condition that has confounded medical professionals worldwide.

US researchers examined the DNA of 981 colon cancer tumors in individuals under 40 and over 70 from 11 different nations.

In tumors from patients under 40, they discovered evidence of colibactin, a toxin associated to cancer that is produced by specific strains of E. Coli.

A little amount of prior research has also demonstrated that certain non-O157 STEC strains produce the toxin colibactin.

The researchers hypothesized that colibactin-linked cases could be 3.3 times more prevalent in cancers with an early onset than in those identified after the age of 70. Their findings were published in the journal Nature.

Scientists responded to the study by stating that while it was “strong” and “good quality research,” longer-term studies that followed the effects of colibactin on children as they grew older were first required.

They said that this would be necessary to completely determine if the toxin causes cancer or is only linked to it.

To determine what initially causes the formation of E. coli strains that make colibactin, more research will be required.

Bowel cancer is the fourth most frequent cancer in both the US and the UK, with about 142,000 cases reported annually in the US and 44,000 in the UK.

According to Cancer Research UK, more than half (54%) of bowel cancer cases in the UK can be avoided.

Changes in bowel movements are common symptoms, including regular and unexpected diarrhea or constipation, the desire or sense of wanting to poop more or less regularly, and blood in the stool.

Other symptoms include weariness, bloating, stomach pain, a mass in the stomach, and sudden weight loss.

For guidance, anyone exhibiting these symptoms should speak with their general practitioner.

STEC can be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals or their excrement, as well as by coming into close contact with the waste of sick individuals, such as when caregivers are caring for elderly patients.

Additionally, it can spread through polluted water, either by ingestion while swimming or by drinking infected supplies.

A “do not eat” warning was issued for over 60 sandwiches, wraps, and salads that were sold in 11 large stores in the UK last year because to concerns that they might contain STEC.

According to the UKHSA, the outbreak resulted in two fatalities, nine HUS cases, and 288 patient illnesses.

Experts say lettuce’s texture may make it more prone to bacteria, and the fact that it isn’t cooked raises the danger.

However, because several bugs, including norovirus, can mimic the same symptoms, it is frequently challenging to identify the infection.