Cancer Research UK analysis from the last 50 years of NHS data showed some celebratory news as deaths from cancer have fallen by over a fifth. But some harrowing figures were also uncovered, as the number of people developing cancer in the first place is up by 50%.
Young people, in this case described as those under the age of 50, are disproportionately affected by this, too. Among the 20-49 age group alone, cancer rates are up 23% since the 1990s.
Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what is affecting young people so drastically. But there are some suspects already.
Three lifestyle factors and habits are already the driving cause of potentially preventable cancer cases:
- Obesity
- Poor diet
- Physical inactivity
Overall, a poor lifestyle is believed to be the culprit for young people. A different study looking at the rise of colon cancer specifically in young people found that more than a third of their participants were obese.
Speaking at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago, Dr Jessica Paulus explained that obesity rates are much higher in early-onset cancer patients than those developing cancers at the ‘average age’.
She also explained why younger people might face more delays in getting their cancer news, too, threatening their treatment outcomes.
She told Oncology News Central: “We know that the worst thing for survival is advanced-stage diagnosis. Screening is really important for all patients, but we’re seeing this disparity in stage at diagnosis for the younger patients.”
Exactly what we’re eating may also be a contributing factor for young people facing cancer. Professor Neil Iyengar from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York told Mail Online: “Our microbiome is exquisitely sensitive to what we eat.
“If microplastics or chemicals are shifting the microbiome, that could be contributing. It’s never too early to start good eating and exercise patterns.”
He’s also raising the alarm on beverages. As most people know the downsides of ultra-processed and sugar-laden foods, many are overlooking the same properties in what they’re drinking.
One common habit associated with cancer that is likely not driving the rise in younger patients is surprisingly smoking. Experts have noted that smoking-related cancers have dropped in almost every age group.
Despite the rising cases among young people, Cancer Research UK’s latest reports emphasise that we’re in the “golden age” of progress in diagnosis and treatment. With one in two diagnosed patients expected to survive for at least 10 years.
In comparison, just one in four patients were expected to meet this milestone in the 1970s. And researchers are still working hard towards more improvements.
