Over the past thirty years, the incidence of cancer among young people has increased significantly worldwide. This alarming trend has been seen in gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal, pancreatic and biliary tract cancers in particular, and researchers believe that unhealthy habits, not necessarily genetic factors, are to blame. The good news is that cancer is no longer considered an incurable disease, as it was in the past.

The study, conducted by teams of researchers from China, Great Britain and Sweden, found a significant increase in the incidence of newly diagnosed cancer cases worldwide between 1990 and 2019. The scientists focused on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, a long-term study. an urgent project that tracks the global impact of many conditions and diseases, including cancer. New cases of cancer between the ages of 14 and 50 were monitored.

Comparing GBD data from 2019 to 1990, the researchers found that global cancer incidence increased by 79.1% and cancer-related deaths increased by 27.7%. Newly diagnosed cancers are most common in people in their 40s.

What types of cancer are more common in young people?

The most significant increase in incidence between 2010 and 2019 was recorded for neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract, followed by cancers of the urinary system and cancers of the female reproductive system, such as cervical or ovarian cancer.

As for newly diagnosed gastrointestinal cancers, colon, rectal, stomach, and pancreatic cancers were most commonly reported. However, the incidence of cancer of the appendix, intrahepatic bile duct and pancreas has been increasing the fastest in recent years.

Breast cancer also caught the attention of researchers – this type of cancer had the highest number of new cases in 2019.

Of these, pancreatic cancer and intrahepatic bile duct cancer are often considered the most aggressive cancers. They are difficult to diagnose in the early stages and have a high recurrence rate.

Colorectal cancer and gastric cancer can also show aggressive behavior with a poor prognosis in late stages. For cervical and ovarian cancer, early detection plays a crucial role in improving the chances of survival. Breast cancer can vary in aggressiveness depending on the specific subtype and stage at which it is diagnosed.

Cancer of the urinary tract can be associated with different types of tumors of the urinary tract, and the aggressiveness depends on the specific type and stage of the tumor.

A messy lifestyle is one of the reasons

Although there are genetic mutations that can cause certain types of cancer, the current increase in cases is largely due to unhealthy lifestyles. A diet high in red meat, low in fruit, high in sodium, and alcohol and tobacco use are the main potential causes.

Well-known risk factors such as obesity, diabetes and lack of physical activity are also thought to play a role.

In addition, researchers are studying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer rates. The data used in this study ended in 2019, but it is possible that in the years after the pandemic, rates of newly diagnosed cancers increased even more. The coronavirus has negatively affected access to preventive health services, including mammograms and colonoscopies, leading to an increase in cancers diagnosed at late stages.

In conclusion, the researchers note that while they do not necessarily recommend screening tests from a young age, it is important that those at higher risk due to family history or genetic factors discuss the possibility with their family doctor.

For gastrointestinal cancer, the US Preventive Services Task Force lowered the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45 in 2021 after an increase in cases among younger people. It is possible that similar changes will be made in the future for screening other types of cancer, such as breast.

Therefore, in addition to being aware of the possibility of developing cancer at a young age, preventive measures should be taken, including maintaining a normal weight, quitting smoking, and protecting the skin from the harmful effects of solar radiation.

The good news is that over time, cancer has become a chronic disease, especially in developed countries. Scientists continue to develop new methods of treating cancer, which was previously considered incurable.

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