The recent demise of Randy Gonzalez, part of a viral TikTok duo, due to colon cancer at age 35, beongs to light an ever-increasing risk of Colon Cabcer among young people. Gonzalez, along with his 7-year-old son, Brice, had built a hit social media channel known as Enkyboys. 

He had announced his diagnosis in April 2022, telling his more than 15 million followers he had stage 4 colon cancer and had been given two or three years to live. 

Gonzalez died in hospice January 25, TMZ first reported. 

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis in the US, according to the American Cancer Society.

While the majority of colon cancer cases occur in people over 50, the disease is on the rise among younger people, in part because of some preventable risk factors, including diet.

Factors like lifestyle, eating habits, and family history all play a role in how at risk you might be. 

But not all factors in colon cancer are in your control, like genetics and other health conditions, according to Dr. Austin Chiang, gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at Jefferson Health.

"There are other things that could increase risk such as smoking, frequent consumption of red meat, and obesity." Dr Austin told insider news.
Prevention better than cure
Based on the latest evidence, eating more plant-based foods high in fiber, cutting back on alcohol and red meat, and staying active may be helpful ways to stave off colon cancer, though some factors, like genetics, may be out of your control.

A sedentary lifestyled person working a desk job, will not get much exercise, and will carry a higher risk of colon cancer.

Physical activity seems to have a protective effect, helping to lower the risk of colon cancer, studies suggest. There's also good evidence that cardiovascular fitness is linked to lower risk of getting colon cancer and of dying from colon cancer. 

"Increase your physical activity — get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week," Anjee Davis, the president of Fight Colorectal Cancer, an advocacy organization for patients with colorectal cancer said.

Diets high in processed food can miss out on whole foods and fiber that are protective against colon cancer. 

Produce and whole grains can help you get enough fiber, an important nutrient for preventing chronic illnesses like cancer, evidence suggests. 

Too much red meat, especially processed or charred meat, may increase the risk of colon cancer. 

Processed meat is consistently linked to worse health outcomes for several illnesses, including heart disease and colon cancer.

You may not need to cut meat out entirely, but experts suggest limiting your consumption of red meat to a few servings a week and nixing foods like bacon, sausages, and cold cuts.

"If you choose to eat red meat, eat no more than 12 to 18 ounces per week, and avoid processed meats as much as possible," Davis said.

Alcohol is a known carcinogen, so drinking in moderation is key. 

There's convincing evidence that moderating your alcohol consumption can help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer, Davis said. 

Alcohol is a known carcinogen, or cancer-causing substance, which can raise your risk of multiple types of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

What's less clear is how much alcohol is safe.

Smoking is linked to multiple types of cancer, including colon cancer. 

It's common knowledge that smoking can cause cancer, but it isn't just your lungs that are in danger. Smoking significantly increases your risk of colon cancer as well, Chiang said, and minimizing smoking habits can be preventative. 

Body mass index, or the ratio of height to weight, can be another indicator of above-average colon-cancer risk, Davis said. 

Multiple studies have found a higher risk of colon cancer is associated with having a BMI above 25 (considered "overweight") or 30 (in the "obesity" range), with some evidence finding nearly double the risk in people with a higher BMI.

As a result, obesity is a factor that should be considered in evaluating colon cancer risk, Chiang said. 

Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis affect the intestines and can make you at higher risk for colon cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Having type 2 diabetes is also linked to a higher risk, independent of other risk factors such as BMI and exercise habits.