Why are young people more prone to cancer?
Several recent studies have concluded that there is an increasing trend of cancer diagnosis among young people across the globe, a phenomenon that has raised questions.
A study conducted by researchers from the University of Milan, published in the journal “Annals of Oncology,” revealed an increase in death rates due to colorectal cancer among young people aged 25 to 49 in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the number of cancer cases among individuals under the age of fifty has increased by 12.8% over the past 20 years.
Researchers have proposed various hypotheses regarding cancer affecting young people, ranging from sedentary lifestyles to the presence of microplastics in the air.
The relationship between cancer and dietary habits as well as excess weight has already been established. Scientists have found that individuals who excessively consume sweets and sugary drinks during adolescence are more likely to develop cancer later in life.
According to Dr. Andrea Chirichi, from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, these statistics could be attributed to environmental degradation, changes in eating habits, or other phenomena that have yet to be identified.
Dr. Kim Ng, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, commented that environmental influences and fetal and infant growth conditions contribute to the increased incidence of cancer in young adults.
Dr. Kim, speaking to the Harvard Gazette, pointed out that colorectal cancer is the leading cause of death among men under 50, followed by central nervous system tumors and lung cancer. For women under 50, colorectal cancer now ranks second in terms of deaths. She noted that there is currently an increase in the incidence of these types of cancer among individuals under 50 in various regions of the world.
According to the specialist, there is no definitive evidence of a relationship between the increased incidence of colorectal cancer and the diet and lifestyle of young people. She stated that there is currently a trend towards a healthy lifestyle, as many people are trying to follow a healthy and balanced diet and engage in physical activity.
The doctor said, “It has not yet been determined whether exposure to environmental influences at an early age is associated with an increase in the number of cancer patients, as this effect may occur in the womb, during breastfeeding, or in early childhood.”
She explained, “This is evident from the results of studies indicating that breastfeeding during childhood increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer.”
