Diagnoses of early-onset cancers have seen a significant increase between 2010 and 2019, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open this week. The study, led by researchers at the National University of Singapore, analyzed data from 17 national cancer registries and found that gastrointestinal cancer showed the fastest-growing rates, rising by 14.80% during the study period. This was followed by cancer of the endocrine system (8.69%) and breast cancer (7.7%).
Gastrointestinal cancer can originate from various parts of the digestive tract, including the esophagus, small intestine, stomach, pancreas, colon, bile duct, gall bladder, liver, anus, and rectum. Despite the sharp increase in gastrointestinal cancer, breast cancer still had the highest total number of cases among individuals aged 50 and under in 2019.
The study also revealed an overall increase in the incidence of early-onset cancers during the study period, while diagnoses decreased for individuals over the age of 50. The authors of the study attributed this increase to factors such as obesity, changes in environmental exposures (including smoke and gasoline), sleep patterns, physical activity, microbiota, and transient exposure to carcinogenic compounds.
Dr. Monique Gary, medical director of the Grand View Health/Penn Cancer Network, commented on the study’s findings, stating that cancer rates are increasing in younger individuals. She emphasized that many of the risk factors associated with increased cancer incidence are preventable, including obesity, tobacco and alcohol intake, sedentary lifestyles, and lack of adequate rest.
The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on these risk factors in younger populations are yet to be fully understood, but future studies may provide more insight. Dr. Gary also stressed the need to focus on mental health, diet, and social determinants of health to reduce chronic and preventable illness.
While the study has shed light on the increasing rates of early-onset cancers, it does have some limitations. The study period does not account for the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on comorbidities and cancer risk factors. The utilization of body mass index (BMI) as a screening tool for chronic diseases like obesity, which is linked to cancer risk, has also been called into question.
Moving forward, parallel studies that examine patterns of other chronic illnesses and their relationship to sedentary lifestyles and diet in young people are needed. It is crucial to act on the data and knowledge provided by these studies to redefine wellness as more than just a buzzword and integrate personalized and accessible actions into everyday life.