Cancer rates among young people are on the rise, with a study published in JAMA Network Open last year showing a nearly 20% increase in cancer diagnosis rates among thirtysomethings between 2010 and 2019, primarily in women. Gastrointestinal cancers, including colorectal, bowel, and pancreatic cancers, saw a significant 15% increase during this time period, making them the fastest-growing types of cancer. The American Cancer Society reported that in 2019, 20% of new colorectal cancer cases were in individuals younger than 55, up from 11% in 1995.
Many experts believe that the rise in bowel cancer diagnoses may be linked to a fiber-deficient Western diet that focuses on ultra-processed foods. While dietary fiber intake has been shown to reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, some young, fit individuals who already follow a healthy diet are still being diagnosed with cancer. UK cancer specialist Karol Sikora suggests that blaming junk food and ultra-processed foods as the sole reason for the increase in cancer rates may be oversimplifying the issue and that the true cause might be multifaceted.
Sikora theorizes that changes in gut bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit the intestines of the younger generation may be contributing to the rise in cancer rates. He explains that a healthy microbiome plays a critical role in preventing bowel cancer and that alterations in the microbiome could potentially lead to an increased incidence of colon cancer. However, establishing a clear correlation between gut bacteria and cancer rates is challenging due to the numerous factors that can influence the composition of the microbiome, such as diet, alcohol consumption, and cooking methods.
London oncologist Hendrik-Tobias Arkenau highlights the alarming fact that many young cancer patients are being diagnosed at late or advanced stages of the disease. He suggests that possible contributing factors to the rise in cancer rates among young people include childhood antibiotic use, changes in diet, low vitamin intake, and declining breastfeeding rates. While there is no single cause for the increase in cancer diagnoses in young individuals, Arkenau emphasizes the importance of healthcare providers being vigilant for concerning symptoms in patients who may not fit the traditional profile for cancer.
Arkenau also points out that nearly 35% of US adults have a vitamin D deficiency, and some studies have suggested a link between low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of several cancers. While the reasons for the spike in cancer rates among young people are not entirely clear, Arkenau emphasizes the importance of healthcare providers taking symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, blood in stool, and abdominal pain seriously and not dismissing them as less urgent conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. Despite the lack of a definitive explanation for the increase in cancer rates among young individuals, experts like Sikora and Arkenau stress the importance of continued research and vigilance in diagnosing and treating cancer in this population.
