New study finds cancer cases on the rise in people under 50

• A new study shows an increase in cancer among people under the age of 50.
• Gastric cancer, multiple myeloma, and pancreatic cancer are on the rise.
• A person’s diet, lifestyle, weight, environmental exposure, and gut microbiota have changed significantly over the past few decades and may have played a role in the increase in cases, but that’s not all.

Many people think of cancer as a disease of the elderly. But not especially now. A growing number of studies show that the incidence of cancer is increasing among young people. And now, new research shows that people under the age of 50 get cancer at higher rates each year.

Research published in Nature Review Clinical Oncology, analyzed data from 14 different types of cancer that show an increase in the number of cases among adults under the age of 50 from 2000 to 2012. Although the study does not show a specific percentage increase, the attached graph shows an undeniable year-on-year increase. “We were interested in analyzing cancer trends among young people across organ systems and exploring data on potential risk factors,” said co-author of the study, Harvard University Chang. Shuji Ogino, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Epidemiology. Faculty of Public Health.

Next, the researchers analyzed possible risk factors to try to figure out what might lead to an increase in cancer cases among young adults. exposure, and the gut microbiome, the ‘early exposome’, have changed significantly over the past decades and may be responsible for the increasing number of cases. It’s a lot more than that. Here’s why cancer cases are on the rise among young adults and what you can do to lower your risk.

Which cancers are increasing in people under 50?

The study found that the following types of cancer, in particular, are increasing in people under the age of 50:

• chest
• colored
• endometrium
• esophagus
• extrahepatic bile duct
• gall bladder
• head and neck
• liver
• liver
• bone marrow
• pancreas
• prostate
• stomach
• thyroid

“This is something that has been observed in clinics for several years by primary care and oncology physicians. Young patients are being diagnosed,” he said. Jack Jacob, M.D. He is a Board Certified Oncologist and Medical Director of the Memorial Care Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. Historically seen in older people. “

It’s also worth noting that the results of this study confirm other things. Recent research They found that five types of cancer—colorectal cancer, breast cancer, kidney cancer, pancreatic cancer, and uterine cancer—are on the rise among young adults.

Why is the incidence of cancer rising in people under the age of 50?

Researchers in the original study discovered what they called the birth cohort effect. This suggests that each group of people born later (10 years after him in this study) had a higher risk of developing cancer later in life, which may be related to: is shown. Risk factors exposed at an early age. Researchers found that risk increased with each decade.For example, people born in 1960 had a higher risk of developing cancer before age 50 than those born in 1950.

Good but why? Researchers admit this is a tricky thing to parse, but there are several theories.

One possibility is that the westernization of eating habits is accelerating.that is Recent research it suggests eating Ultra-processed foods may increase cancer risk—That means frozen foods, sodas, cold cuts, and sweets can put you at higher risk.

obesity, type 2 diabetesa more sedentary lifestyle, and alcohol consumption, which have been on the rise since the 1950s, researchers said could affect the gut microbiome and increase the risk of cancer early in life. I’m here.

Lack of sleep may also play a role. Researchers note that while adults generally get the same amount of sleep as they have in decades past, children sleep much less than they did decades ago.

Dr. Ogino said early detection and increased screening for cancer may also be playing a role in the increase in cancer cases among people under the age of 50. ’ he says. “But in many other types of cancer, it’s not the only reason.”

“Young people need to be aware that this is a serious, life-threatening disease, and those of us in our teens and twenties should be concerned to prevent it,” Dr. Jacob said. says.

How to lower your cancer risk

of American Cancer Society (ACS), at least 18% of cancers in the United States are linked to overweight, lack of exercise, alcohol consumption, and poor nutrition. With that in mind, ACS recommends doing the following to lower your cancer risk:

• Try to keep your weight within a healthy range.
• Do 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75-150 minutes of vigorous activity each week. (Children should engage in at least one hour of moderate- or vigorous-intensity activity each day.)
• Try to limit sedentary behavior.
• Eat a healthy diet, including eating a variety of fruits and vegetables.
• Limit red and processed meats, sweetened beverages, highly processed foods, and refined grain products.
• Limit alcohol to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

“Start these good habits early,” says Dr. Ogino. “The sooner the better.”