Cancer in Young Adults is Occurring on a More Frequent Basis. Why?

A recent analysis from the NCI reports that the rate of people with colorectal cancer under the age of 55 (Gen-X) has doubled since 1995. Reports that track the most recurrent cancers in younger people had been declining, but recently that trend has drastically reversed. Cancer of the kidney, small intestine and pancreas in young adults are occurring on a more frequent basis.

Scientists are quick to point out that not only are deaths from colon cancer on the rise, but they are also more deadly as they are usually not found until it has become too late to administer treatment. Note that the current advice to the general public is to wait until the age of 45 to begin testing for colon cancer.

About the Risk Factors

It is common knowledge that exercise and weight factors into the cancer equation. Since the 1990s, obesity rates worldwide have been associated with an increase in early-onset cancers (between ages 18 to 49) with an emphasis on gastrointestinal tract cancers. Now scientists are under pressure to determine how other factors such as food, sleep, or pollutants have on cancer risk.

Regardless of an individual’s BMI, processed foods are believed to be associated with an increased risk of cancer. Available research has identified the consumption of processed foods, deep-fried foods, foods that are high in fat, and sugary desserts and drinks as a cance risk factor.

Other well-known risk factors are alcohol consumption, exposure to environmental toxins, and formaldehyde. Scientists are researching the possibility that interrupted or insufficient sleep may be risk factors for young patients to develop colon, breast, ovarian or prostate cancers. This could be applicable if the incidents occur at critical times in the young person’s life.

Andrew Chan leads the international early onset research project. He commented that people currently appear to be sleeping less or having their sleep disrupted for various reasons. He questions whether that is one of the factors that are changing our biology, more specifically our circadian rhythm, in a negative way.

The microbiome is called the bacteria ecosystem in the gut. Although specific bacteria are identified with GI cancers, researchers are trying to determine whether the changes are the cause of the cancer or if they result from the cancer.

A Worldwide Challenge

Although the bulk of increases are most evident in countries that are wealthy, developing countries are beginning to cope with deaths caused by environmental contaminants, namely microplastics. A New Zealand research team published a paper one year ago whereby the rise in cancer among younger adults was in sync with the aforementioned rise in microplastics in the environments.

In Retrospect

Looking back several generations, people who were born in 1975 experienced almost double the rate of intestinal cancers as those born in 1955. The rates for people born in 1990 are almost four times the rates of people who were born in the mid-20th century. A similar trajectory applies to pancreas, kidney, liver and bone marrow cancers.

And in Conclusion . . .

In summary, the researchers found that the increase in the number of cancers may be attributed to progress resulting in changes in diet, lifestyle factors and in the environment. Although there is still much to learn about the new variables in cancer risk, we should not feel helpless as in the long run the original recommendations still apply. This advice is centered around eating properly, drinking less alcohol, and incorporating exercise in our daily lives.

cancer cancer research colorectal cancer pancreatic cancer

Last modified: December 10, 2024