DOCTORS and public health boffins have been puzzled by the concerning rise of bowel cancer cases in people under 50.
Now researchers think they may have an answer.
Lettuce.
Yes, it seems that lettuce and certain other leafy greens are susceptible to contamination by a rare strain of E.Coli that has been linked with colon cancer.
A DNA analysis of colon cancer tumours in people under 40 has found traces of a cancer-linked toxin produced by the bacteria.
Watering lettuce with contaminated water allows it to rest on the leaf, and a combination of the leaf's texture, which makes it difficult to wash off, the fact that people often don't wash it anyway, and that it's eaten raw, has led to an increase in infections with the bacteria in recent years.
Experts also warn that warm, wet weather, on the increase due to climate change, can create an ideal breeding ground for the bug to spread.
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