(NewsNation) — On the heels of World Cancer Day, a new study coming out of the United Kingdom is linking higher rates of colorectal cancer to obesity and alcohol consumption in younger adults.

In the United States, the National Cancer Institute reports alcohol consumption could increase the risk of colorectal cancer by 50%; nearly 42% of our country is considered overweight.

While the study found that overall cancer mortality rates are down, it warns of the increase in cancer rates among younger adults. Colorectal cancer death rates in younger men have increased by 26% and increased in younger women by nearly 39% since 2018, researchers found.

NewsNation medical contributor and board-certified cardiologist Dr. Dave Montgomery said it’s a concerning trend that has medical professionals advising adults younger than 50 to make cancer screenings a priority.

“We’ve got to make cancer screening a priority. Remember, this is not gloom or doom,” Montgomery said. “If we get to these things early enough, then there’s a lot of hope that we can reverse the trend.”

Montgomery said it’s important people remain proactive and be their best advocates.

He warned that alcohol, when broken down into cells, can be toxic to DNA. He said once DNA gets toxified, it opens the door to cancer growth. The higher risk for this comes from the binge market, Montgomery said.

He explained that when folks binge drink — clinically, three drinks or more in a two-hour period — it’s more likely that corrosion occurs and increases a person’s chance of developing cancer.

When it comes to obesity and cancer, Montgomery said it’s about inflammation. He explained that people who are obese have a low line level of inflammation, where the fat cells make all kinds of cytokines and inflammatory products. Those can damage both DNA and the cell surface, potentially causing cancer as well, Montgomery said.

Montgomery said the best thing for people to do is regulate their diets, don’t smoke and monitor drinking if drinking at all.