The Western way of life and diet would be involved in the worrying increase in the number of cases of cancer among the under 50s.
- Every year in France, 40% of cancers are caused by so-called avoidable risk factors, i.e. linked to our way of life and our environment.
- About 20% is attributable to nutrition, of which 5.4% is directly related to our eating habits.
A “emerging global epidemic”. It is in these terms that a group of scientists led by Harvard University described the increase in cancers in individuals under 50 years of age.
14 cancer families
According to their recent study published in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology, this disturbing phenomenon is found in 14 families of different cancers, the incidence of which increased in the under-50s between 2000 and 2012.
“NOTWe have calculated that this risk increases with each generation. For example, people born in 1960 have a greater risk of getting cancer before their 50th birthday than those born in 1950, and we expect this risk to continue to increase in future generations.” explains Suji Ogino, physician and member of the research team.
Digestive system
The researchers noted that of the 14 increasing types of cancer studied, eight were related to the digestive system and diet and lifestyle appear to be known risk factors.
“Our diet feeds the microorganisms in our intestines. Diet directly affects microbiota composition and ultimately these changes can influence disease risk“, explains Tomotaka Ugai, researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health and first author of the study.
High level of evidence
This relationship between nutrition and cancer risk has been established with a high level of evidence by twenty-five years of research, recalls the Arc Foundation for Cancer Research.
Experts recommend favoring homemade foods and increasing the consumption of protective foods such as organic fruits and vegetables, pulses (lentils, beans, chickpeas, etc.) and whole grains and reducing the intake of harmful products. such as alcohol, deli meats and red meat.
Physical activity and weight control also play a major role in cancer prevention.