These 4 types of cancer have spiked for people under 50 whos more at risk
Several cancers in younger adults are on the rise, stumping medical professionals everywhere.Now, a groundbreaking new study has presented some of the most compelling evidence yet as to why — and revealed who’s at the greatest risk.The study, published in the journal Cancer Discovery, analyzed over two million cases and found significant increases in early-onset cancers.The biggest spike was seen in four cancers — breast, colorectal, kidney and uterine — representing a shocking 80% increase in cases in 2019 versus 2010.Notably, about 63% of these early-onset cancers occurred in women.
While death rates for most cancers in young adults have not risen, increases were seen for colorectal, uterine, and testicular cancers.This kind of data provides “a critical starting point for understanding the drivers of rising rates of cancer in early-onset age groups, lead author Meredith Shiels, a senior investigator at the National Cancer Institute, said in a press release.She has hope this research could “translate to effective cancer prevention and early detection efforts.”“As one example, recent guidelines have lowered the age of initiation for breast and colorectal cancer screening based, at least partially, on observations that rates for these cancers are increasing at younger ages,” she said.Researchers suggest that rising obesity rates may be a significant factor, as several of these cancers are associated with excess body weight.
Other potential contributors include changes in reproductive patterns, such as delayed childbirth, which can negatively influence breast cancer risk.On a positive note, advances in cancer detection and changes in screening guidelines may also play a role in identifying more cases at younger ages.This trend isn’t isolated.
A global study published in 2023 found that early-onset cancer cases worldwide increased by 79% between 1990 and 2019, with breast cancer accounting for the highest number of cases and deaths.This study,...