Millennials and Gen X are facing higher cancer risks than previous generations. A study published in The Lancet Public Health highlights that these younger generations are experiencing increased incidence rates for 17 out of 34 cancer types including some that were previously less common in young adults.
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The Study Identified 17 Cancer Types:
- Gastric cardia cancer
- Small intestine cancer
- Estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer in women
- Non-HPV-associated oral and pharynx cancers in women
- Anal cancer
- Colon and rectal cancer
- Uterine corpus cancer
- Gallbladder and other biliary cancers
- Kidney and renal pelvis cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-cardia gastric cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Leukemia
- Kaposi sarcoma in men
The study found differences in cancer incidence rates among gen X born between 1920 and 1990. People born in the 1990s have much higher rates of certain cancers than those born in the 1950s.
There is a 169% higher incidence rate for those born in the 1990s compared to the 1950s.
Pancreatic, Kidney and Small Intestinal Cancers, These cancers have a two to three times higher incidence rate among individuals born in 1990 than those born in 1955.
The study also showed the increased cancer death rates for several types such as liver cancer in women, uterine corpus cancer, gallbladder cancer, testicular cancer and colorectal cancers particularly among younger generations.
Ten of the 17 cancers identified as increasing in incidence among younger generations are related to obesity including colon and rectal, kidney, gallbladder, uterine corpus, pancreas, gastric cardia, estrogen receptor-positive breast, ovarian, multiple myeloma and liver cancers.
Decreased physical activity levels especially from a young age, contribute to obesity and are likely factors in the rising cancer incidence.
The study suggests that early exposure to harmful environmental factors may contribute to the increased cancer risk. These exposures might include pollutants, chemicals in food and water and other environmental carcinogens.
Improvements in diagnostic tools and more cancer screening may lead to earlier detection of cancers.
The medical community’s emphasis on screening at younger ages, especially for breast and colorectal cancers and could also account for some of the observed increases.
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The study addresses obesity as a huge contributor with obesity rates having increased since the 1980s. Over 40% of American adults and about 20% of children and adolescents are considered obese.
Obesity is strongly associated with nine of the cancers highlighted in the study including breast, colorectal, uterine and pancreatic cancer.
Increasingly sedentary lifestyles among younger generations may contribute to higher cancer risks.
Exposure to various chemicals and environmental agents found in food, water or everyday products may also play a role in the rising cancer rates.
The impact of medications such as antibiotics, which can alter the gut microbiome is under investigation as a potential factor in colorectal cancer.
Frequent and often unnecessary use of antibiotics can disrupt the gut microbiome, which has been linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Changes in reproductive patterns and gut microbiome composition may contribute to early-onset cancers.
Increased exposure to carcinogenic viruses is another factor, although more research is needed to establish concrete links.
Researchers used data from two databases to analyze cancer trends among individuals born between 1920 and 1990.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has adjusted its guidelines, recommending earlier screening for certain cancers such as lowering the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45.
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