The Alarming Trend of Rising Cancer Rates in Young People: Causes and Prevention

In the last thirty years, the incidence of cancer in young people has increased significantly, globally. This alarming trend has been seen particularly in gastrointestinal cancers such as colorectal, pancreatic and bile duct cancer, and researchers believe that unhealthy habits and not necessarily genetic factors are to blame. The good news is that cancer is no longer considered an incurable disease, as it was in the past.
Cancers of the female reproductive system, such as cervical or ovarian cancer, are on the rise.
A study carried out by research teams from China, Great Britain and Sweden, picked up by Hotnews, revealed a significant increase in the incidence of newly diagnosed cancer cases worldwide between 1990 and 2019. The scientists focused on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, a long-term project that tracks the global impact of many conditions and diseases, including cancer. New cancer cases diagnosed between the ages of 14 and 50 were tracked.
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Comparing GBD data from 2019 to 1990, the researchers found that the global incidence of cancer increased by 79.1% and the number of deaths associated with the disease increased by 27.7%. Newly diagnosed cancers were most common in people in their 40s. The most significant increase in incidence between 2010 and 2019 was recorded by gastrointestinal neoplasms. followed by cancers of the urinary system and cancers of the female reproductive system, such as cervical or ovarian cancer.
Regarding newly diagnosed gastrointestinal cancers the most reported types were colon, rectal, gastric and pancreatic cancer. However, the incidence rates for cancers of the appendix, intrahepatic bile duct and pancreas have seen the fastest increase over the years. Breast cancer has also attracted the attention of researchers – this type of cancer having the highest number of new cases in 2019. Of these, pancreatic cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer are often considered the most aggressive types of cancer. They are difficult to diagnose in the early stages and have a high recurrence rate.
Colorectal and gastric cancer can also show an aggressive behavior, with a poor prognosis in the advanced stages. For cervical and ovarian cancer, early detection plays a crucial role in improving the chances of survival. Breast cancer can vary in aggressiveness depending on the specific subtype and stage at which it is diagnosed.
Urinary cancer can be associated with various types of tumors of the urinary tract, and the aggressiveness depends on the specific type and stage of the tumor. Although there are genetic mutations that can predispose to certain types of cancer, the current increase in cases is largely attributed to unhealthy lifestyles. A diet high in red meat, low in fruit, high in sodium, as well as alcohol and tobacco use, are the main potential causes.
It is also thought that well-known risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and lack of physical activity could play a role.
In addition, researchers are examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer rates. The data used in this study stopped at 2019, but it is possible that in the years following the pandemic, the rates of newly diagnosed cancer increased even more. The coronavirus has had a negative impact on access to preventive medicine services, including mammograms and colonoscopies, which has led to an increase in cases of cancer detected at advanced stages. In conclusion, the researchers note that although they do not necessarily recommend screening tests from ages young women, it is essential that those who are at higher risk due to family history or genetic factors discuss this possibility with their GP.
For gastrointestinal cancers, the US Preventive Services Task Force lowered the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45 in 2021, following an increase in cases among young people. It is possible that similar adjustments will be made for screening other types of cancer, such as breast, in the future.
So, in addition to being aware of the possibility of developing cancer at a young age, preventive measures should be taken, including maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and protecting the skin from the harmful effects of solar radiation.
The good news is that over time, cancer has become a chronic disease, especially in developed countries. Scientists continue to develop new treatments for cancers that were previously considered incurable.

2023-11-12 22:44:24
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