From Awareness to Culture in Workplaces
Early-Onset Gastrointestinal Cancers
A 2025 JAMA report highlights a striking global trend – a surge in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers among adults under 50 years. Once considered diseases of older age, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, and biliary cancers are now affecting young professionals in their most productive years.
This shift is not merely a medical issue – it’s a workforce and leadership challenge.
What Science is Showing
In 2022, early-onset GI cancers accounted for: 54% colorectal, 24% gastric, 13% esophageal, and 9% pancreatic cases.
Nearly one-third of these patients have hereditary genetic variants, including BRCA1/2 or Lynch syndrome.
However, the JAMA analysis emphasises that modifiable factors – diet, inactivity, obesity, alcohol, smoking, and chronic stress – drive most cases.
The biology supports this: sedentary behaviour alters insulin and gut hormone pathways, promotes inflammation, and fosters tumor growth. Excess processed sugar and fat disrupt the gut microbiome, now recognised as a crucial defence against cancer.
Why Businesses Should Care
These cancers strike between 30 and 50 years – the creative, decision-making, and leadership core of every organisation. Beyond the human toll, late diagnoses mean:
- Costly long-term treatment and insurance claims
- Workforce absenteeism and skill loss
- Psychological ripple effects across teams
Forward-thinking companies are realising that wellness is not a perk – it’s a productivity strategy.
Corporate Action Points
1. Prioritise screening:
- Encourage colonoscopy or stool-based tests from age 40–45.
- Promote risk assessment for employees with a family history of cancer.
- Partner with hospitals for annual GI check-up camps.
2. Promote healthy lifestyle infrastructure:
- Active office design (standing desks, walking meetings).
- Nutritious cafeteria menus and ‘no-junk’ policy.
- Fitness and mental-wellness incentives built into HR policy.
3. Educate and destigmatise:
- Red-flag symptoms (bleeding, abdominal pain, weight loss) should trigger quick consultation.
- Provide flexible medical leave and reintegration support for employees undergoing treatment.
From Awareness to Culture
Scientific evidence is clear: up to 40% of early-onset GI cancers are preventable with timely screening and lifestyle reform. Corporate Nepal, where long work hours, processed diets, and stress are normalised, must lead the preventive revolution.
Leaders who invest in employee health today will secure not only loyalty and longevity but a truly resilient organisation for tomorrow.
Dr. Uttam Laudari, MCh, is a GI & HPB Surgeon at Kathmandu Medical College, Nepal. His work focuses on liver, pancreas, and biliary surgery and cancer prevention. In this article he presented data cited from JAMA, October 2025, “Early-Onset Gastrointestinal Cancer.” He can be reached at social media platform X @HPBEverestMD)
