Title: Troubling Trend: Rates of Cancer Rising Among Young People, Particularly Women
Byline: Marc Lallanilla | August 17, 2023 | 11:55am
Cancer experts have recently uncovered a concerning trend in the field – the rates of cancer among young people have seen a significant rise in recent years. Surprisingly, this rise in cancer cases comes amidst a decline in rates among individuals older than 50 years.
Notably, individuals aged 30 to 39 years experienced the highest increase, with cancer rates jumping by nearly 20% between 2010 and 2019, as reported in a study published in JAMA Network Open. This rise in cancer cases primarily affects women, with early-onset cancer increasing by 4.4% among women, while the number of cases decreased by almost 5% among men.
Dr. John Ricci, chief of colorectal surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Great Neck, New York, shared his concern over the growing number of younger patients. He stated, “We used to say 40s was extremely abnormal, but we’re definitely seeing more [cases] in the 30s than we had before.”
The study identified specific cancers that accounted for most of the rise in cases among young people. Breast cancer cases increased by approximately 8% over the study period. Additionally, gastrointestinal cancers, including colon, appendix, bile duct, and pancreatic cancers, witnessed a worrisome 15% increase during the 10-year study period, making them the fastest-rising types of cancer.
These findings align with a previous study published in Science in March, which highlighted a significant increase in colorectal cancer rates in recent years. The study authors of both reports attributed the spike in early-onset cancers to familiar risk factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, and sedentary lifestyles.
Hyuna Sung, a cancer surveillance researcher at the American Cancer Society, emphasized the need to address these risk factors that contribute to early-onset cancer. She explained, “Suspected risk factors may involve increasing obesity among children and young adults; also the drastic change in our diet, like increasing consumption of sugar, sweetened beverages, and high fat.”
Another study, published in the previous month, identified a link between being overweight or obese and 18 different types of cancers. Researchers discovered that individuals who were overweight in their early adulthood, between the ages of 18 and 40, faced an increased risk of cancer.
Sung also underscored the impact of physical activity on cancer prevention. A recent study revealed that young men with high levels of fitness were less likely to develop various cancers later in life.
Researchers have expressed concern over the potential consequences for young people who develop cancer at increasing rates. “The increase in cancers among young adults has significant implications,” noted Sung, who was not involved in the new study. “It is something we need to consider as a bellwether for future trends.”
Study co-author Dr. Daniel Q. Huang, assistant professor of medicine at the National University of Singapore, emphasized the need for increased efforts to combat the risk factors associated with early-onset cancer, such as obesity, heavy alcohol consumption, and smoking.
As the prevalence of cancer among young people continues to rise, these findings serve as a stark reminder of the importance of early prevention and awareness in combating this deadly disease.