WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS NOW
Nearly 1 in 10 new colorectal cancers now strike people under 50, and that ratio is increasing worldwide.
A May 2025 study (yes, just last month) found microplastics embedded inside colorectal tumors at higher concentrations than in nearby healthy tissue (link to study)
A single liter of bottled water averages 240,000 microplastic particles. Most of us ingest or inhale hundreds of thousands of plastic fragments each year... staggering.
TODAY’S OPPONENT:
Microplastics
You’re probably seeing microplastics being talked about more and more recently. Simply put, they’re tiny (<5 mm) plastic shards that are present in our food, water, and air. In lab and human studies they:
→ Trigger oxidative DNA damage.
→ Act as chemical “taxis” for endocrine-disrupting toxins.
→ Disturb the gut microbiome’s balance, which has been linked to negative health outcomes, including colon cancer.
→ Physically irritate the colon lining, much like asbestos does to the lining the lungs.
Early-onset colon cancer rates are increasing 2-3% every year in people under age 40.
That means the odds have at least doubled since many of you reading this were in high school.
We used to only blame genetics or diets high in ultra-processed foods, but that story is incomplete.
Pathologists are now finding actual plastic fragments embedded inside tumor tissue .
These particles are NOT friendly visitors. They essentially scrape your colon wall, drag in hormone-disrupting chemicals, and spark the kind of DNA damage that can allow malignant cells to proliferate.
The scary thing is... plastic is everywhere (you didn’t need a doctor to tell you that)..
The bottled water on your desk, the microwaved leftovers in flimsy containers, the polyester hoodie shedding fibers in your laundry.
And look, the last thing Dr. Storage or I want to do is fear monger. There is already enough of that in the world. Which is why we started Doctor Versus:
To give people a direct line to two practicing gastroenterologists, and what we’re seeing in our practice every week.
We are bound by an oath to tell you the truth. Really.
So, back to that May 2025 study on the link between microplastics and cancer. I’ve summarized the findings to save you some time:
When researchers zoomed in on colon-cancer tissue with infrared and electron microscopes, they didn’t just see ordinary cells. They saw plastic shrapnel (AKA microplastics).
Tumor samples held a grab-bag of fragments, mostly PVC (think plumbing pipes) and polyethylene (grocery bags), and there was more of it (and more variety) than in the nearby “normal” tissue.
On top of that, the cancer cells were bristling with clathrin, a protein that works like a revolving door for material coming into the cell. High clathrin means the tumor is basically gulping down those tiny plastic bits, letting them lodge deep inside.
Why does that matter to you and me?
Because it says microplastics aren’t just harmless passengers floating through your gastrointestinal system and innocently coming out the other end..
They’re breaking in, setting up camp, and potentially fanning the flames of cancer.
The study stops short of affirming “cause,” but the association is strong enough for Dr. Storage and I to tell you this:
Every time you do something to try to reduce your contact or ingestion of plastic, you are potentially reducing the biological responses in your body that lead to cancer: inflammation, cytotoxicity, and oxidative stress.
“When tumor tissue literally contains plastic, we can’t ignore this finding.”
Colon cancer is no longer a disease of the old. We have to be vigilant about microplastics and think to solutions. You should:
Screen for colorectal cancer as recommended (age 45, earlier if you have risk factors).
Treat every plastic you skip as a gesture AGAINST inflammation & carcinogenesis.
“Genes haven’t changed this fast. But our lifestyles are more sedentary and our exposure to harmful plastics has multiplied.”
Microplastics are both a symptom of a disposable culture and a suspect in young-onset cancer. You should avoid disposable plastics, be aware of any change in your bowel habits.
Push for a colonoscopy before 45 if you have any changes in your bowel habits, new or concerning symptoms or have a family history of colon cancer.
Pro tip: Eat more fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi! They contain beneficial probiotics that help reduce the inflammation caused by microplastics.
WHAT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
“I’m under 45 and having some changes in my bowel habits. I’m hearing more about people getting colon cancer at a young age. There’s also new evidence that microplastics exposure is associated with rising cancer rates. Can we talk about doing a colonoscopy early?”
TIKTOK TREND WE’D (NOT QUITE) BAN
Papaya Seeds Cure Parasites…?
Indeed, one small Nigerian study from 2007 showed that 23 outof 30 children cleared stool parasites after eating dried papaya seeds mixed with honey, compared to 5 out of 30 in the control group.
Mmm papaya…
It’s a cool finding, but it was a small sample size and has never been repeated at scale.
BUT: Papaya seeds are high in fiber, antioxidants, and an enzyme called papain that can help your digestion. So if you want to get tropical, papaya seeds are generally harmless and may have some small benefit for your gut.
So we won’t call for a total TikTok ban in this case (:
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND?
Respond to this email and let us know!
As gastroenterologists, we definitely have a lot to talk about when it comes to your gut health and well-being. But we can’t always get to everything (you know… like coffee enemas)! So reply directly to this email or DM us on TikTok below and maybe YOUR topic will be featured soon!
