A “emerging global epidemic” cancer spreading among “young” patients, less than 50 years old ? In recent study published this September 6 in the journal Nature Reviews Clinical Oncologyresearchers at Harvard University found that theincidence of 14 types of cancer increased worryingly among those under 50 between 2000 and 2012. A drastic increase in cases of cancer of the breast, colon, esophagus, kidney, liver or pancreas which has already started in the years 1990.
“We 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 predict that this risk will continue to increase. in future generations”says Suji Ogino, a doctor who participated in the research.
Researchers have identified possible risk factors for early cancer, including alcohol consumption, sleep deprivation, smoking and weight. This increase may also be related to theexposomei.e. the set of factors to which we are exposed during our lifetime and which has changed considerably since the middle of the 20th century, now including environmental exposures and our diet.
Eight out of 14 cancers linked to the digestive system on the rise
“Of the 14 rising types of cancer we studied, eight were related to the digestive system. Our diet feeds the microorganisms in our intestines. Diet directly affects the composition of the microbiome, and possibly these changes may influence disease risk.”says Tomotoka Ugai, lead author of the study.
If the cancer screening has become widespreadthus making diagnoses earlier and participated in the increase in this incidence, the researchers nevertheless believe that the sole reason for screening is not sufficient to explain this explosion.
Other points remain unresolved: researchers cannot state in detail which of the external factors to which an individual is exposed in his early years will create cancer later on. They conclude that raising public awareness is essential and that “improving the environment in early life should be an immediate goal: this could reduce the burden of early and late cancers“.
Source :
- Is early-onset cancer an emerging global epidemic? Current evidence and future implications, Nature Reviews Clinical OncologySeptember 6, 2022
