Growing cancers in young people: lifestyles under attack
American Cancer Society research: increasing cancer cases between Generation X and Millennials
Research conducted by the American Cancer Society has revealed an alarming increase in cancer cases among young people, particularly among Generation X and millennials. The data is clear: compared to previous generations, young people today are at a higher risk of developing 17 types of cancer, including breast, pancreas and stomach cancers.
The study
The analysis, conducted on over 23 million patients and 7 million cancer-related deaths, has revealed a worrying trend: Incidence rates have increased significantly for each subsequent generation since 1920. In particular, young people born in the 1990s have up to three times the risk of pancreatic, kidney and small bowel cancers compared with those born in the 1950s.
Causes still to be clarified
The reasons for this worrying increase are not yet entirely clear. Experts point to a combination of factors, including:
- Environmental factors: Exposure to chemicals, pollutants and radiation could play a crucial role
- Lifestyles: Improper eating, rich in ultra-processed foods and poor in fruits and vegetables, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol and tobacco abuse are well known risk factors
- Genetic factors: The genetic background may also influence the predisposition to develop certain types of cancer.
The oncologists’ alarm
Massimo Di Maio, elected president of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM), stresses the importance of lifestyles in increasing cancer cases among young people. ” Many experts agree that the increase is due to different exposure to environmental and behavioural risk factors,’ says Di Maio.
Intensifying research and understanding the causes
There is an urgent need to intensify research to understand the causes of this phenomenon and develop new strategies for prevention and treatment. At the same time, it is crucial to promote healthy lifestyles among young people by encouraging a balanced diet, regular physical activity and reducing risk factors.
A global challenge
The increase in cancer cases among young people is a global challenge that requires a coordinated response from governments, institutions and civil society. Investing in cancer research, prevention and treatment is a moral and social imperative.