March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and reports show the number of cases among younger adults is rising.

Doctors are not exactly sure about why that it is, but new research could help shed some light.

An oncologist for the Cleveland Clinic said the microbiome of a tumor is made up of human and non-human cells and in this study, they found there was more bacteria in the tumor microbiome of younger adults with colorectal cancer.

It is possible the way colorectal cancer develops in younger adults is driven by a different group of microorganisms, the doctor said.

The research will hopefully aid in prevention and treatment options in the future.