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A recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open reveals that younger individuals in the US are being diagnosed more often with certain types of cancer. The study indicates that the rise in diagnoses is predominantly due to malignancies in women and those in their 30s.
The study analyzed nearly 500,000 cases of early-onset cancer, which refers to tumors identified in individuals under 50, between 2010 and 2019. The findings revealed that early-onset malignancies, on average, increased by 0.28% each year during that period.
This increase seems to be driven by the rising cancer rates among younger women. The rate for women rose by an average of 0.67% annually. Conversely, men's rates declined by 0.37% per year. The most reported early-onset cases in 2019 were breast, thyroid, and colorectal cancers. Appendiceal cancer saw the most significant increase in early-onset cases, surging by 252%. Uterine cancer cases increased by 76%, and bile duct cancer by 142%. Malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract showed the most substantial growth between 2010 and 2019, with an increase of over 15%.
Research indicates that the rise in cancer diagnoses isn't exclusive to the US. The prevalence of early-onset tumors is swiftly rising across 14 different cancer types, according to a study from last year that examined cancer registry data from 44 countries. Many of these cancers impact the digestive system. Enhanced screening methods and other yet-to-be-identified factors are believed to be contributing to the spike in diagnosed cases.
Medical experts suspect that certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking, obesity, and lack of physical activity, might elevate the risk of developing cancer. Alcohol consumption, particularly binge drinking, is another potential contributor to the uptick in cancer diagnoses.
To minimize the risk of developing cancer, health professionals recommend maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise, and consuming five to nine servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. It's also advisable to limit the intake of processed foods.