Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers collectively represent the most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of death from cancer in the U.S. GI cancers account for just under 30% of all cancer deaths. This type of cancer can affect the esophagus, stomach, pancreas and biliary tract, small intestine, liver, colon, rectum, and anus.    GI cancers share risk factors, including:  Occupational exposure to carcinogens  Obesity  Cigarette smoking  Diabetes  Alcohol use  Hepatitis B and C infection  Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection  Infection by H. pylori bacteria          What is strange is that gastrointestinal cancers are increasing in younger people, and the incidence rate is growing faster than other early-onset cancers. For example, colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for people ages 20–49, and the average age of diagnosis has dropped significantly in a short amount of time. In fact, people born between 1981–1996 are twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer than those born in 1950. What is going on? Why is this occurring? As a result, have screening guidelines changed?   Listen and learn as host Tim Jordan interviews Xavier Llor, M.D., Ph.D. about this issue.   Resources for this podcast:   Yale University Website: Yale.edu   Yale University School of Medicine: https://medicine.yale.edu/   Yale University Gastrointestinal (GI) and Pancreatic Prevention Program: https://www.yalemedicine.org/departments/gi-and-pancreatic-cancer-prevention-program   Xavier Llor's Faculty Website at Yale: https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/xavier-llor/   Article: “No One Is Immune.” Boseman’s Death Shows Colon Cancer Affecting the Young and Black Americans. https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/No-one-is-immune-Boseman-s-death-shows-15530635.php   Article: Why are Colo-Rectal Cancer Rates Rising Among Younger Adults? https://medicine.yale.edu/news-article/with-colorectal-cancer-rates-rising-among-younger-adults-a-yale-cancer-center-expert-explains-there-may-be-more-factors-behind-this-worrisome-trend/     Interested in becoming a sponsor of this podcast? Contact at: tjordan@1795group.com   Thoughts? Feedback? Suggestions for topics or guests? Contact:  tjordan@1795group.com   Grass Roots Health is sponsored by the 1795 Group. www.1795group.com   Grass Roots Health is produced and hosted by Tim Jordan.   Dr. Llor was booked by Tim Jordan. Artwork by Danielle Procopio. Audio editing and mastering by Christopher Stoll of Audio Flare Recording, Toledo, OH: https://www.audioflare.com/   Website design by Alex Brinkman, Green Tree Media, Perrysburg, Ohio www.greentreemediallc.com