MORE AND MORE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING FROM CANCER
Cancer usually attacks those in their 50s, 60s, or even older. However, in recent decades, early-stage cancer — which usually occurs in patients under 50 years of age — has become increasingly common, especially in developed countries.
Analysis by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in 2023 revealed that there had been an increase of almost 80 percent in the discovery of early stages of 29 types of cancer globally between 1990 and 2019.
A separate study published in JAMA Network Open the same year concluded that the discovery of various types of cancer in those under 50 years of age had increased in the 2010-2019 period among American adults, especially among women.
The director of the Ruesch Center for the Cure of Gastrointestinal Cancers at Georgetown University, John Marshall, recently said that early in his career, he rarely saw patients under 50 years old.
But today, half of his patients are in that age range, many of whom appear healthy and fit.
Initially, these young patients were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, but over time, Marshall’s patients came with diagnoses of different cancers, primarily affecting other parts of the digestive tract.
Until now, the main factors that cause young patients to suffer from cancer are unknown, especially in the gastrointestinal system. However, researchers have several theories about this.
A review published in Frontiers in Nutrition in 2022 found several dietary factors associated with early-stage colorectal cancer, such as consuming lots of foods fried in oil and processed foods, high-fat foods, sugary drinks, desserts and a diet that is low in fiber.
Another study found that high alcohol consumption was associated with an increased risk of developing cancer at a young age.
Apart from that, a number of toxins in our environment, such as microplastics, are also factors that trigger cancer. These tiny particles can be found in everything from food containers to synthetic clothing, before entering our bodies and digestive tracts.
However, these things are still theories. Scientists still don’t fully understand the main factors that drive high cancer rates in young people.
What is certain is that diagnoses like Kate Middleton’s have become more and more common lately.
