Cancer Risk Is Increasing for Younger People

While some cancers do not discriminate, certain lifestyle choices can increase the risk of cancer. For instance, we all know that smoking increases the risk of lung, throat, and mouth cancer.

A recent study has highlighted a concerning trend of rising cancer rates among younger Americans, especially women, with gastrointestinal, endocrine, and breast cancers showing the fastest increase. While cancers in older adults have declined, the study, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed a slight overall increase in cancers among those under 50.

The study encompassed data from over 560,000 early-onset cancer patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2019. Possible contributors to this trend include factors like rising obesity rates, unhealthy lifestyles involving alcohol consumption, smoking, poor sleep, and sedentary habits. Environmental elements such as exposure to pollutants and carcinogens are also likely culprits.

How much is the cancer rate increasing?

It depends on the age cohort, sex, and type of cancer. Overall, cancer rates for people under the age of 50 rose 0.7% between 2010 and 2019. The greatest increases were in the 30-39 age group (19.4% increase) and 20-29 age group (5.3%) – AKA, Millennials and Gen Z.

Per the Washington Post, “Gastrointestinal cancers, including of the colon, appendix and bile duct, increased about 15 percent during that time — making it the fastest-growing type of cancer among younger people.” Breast cancers, however, had the greatest number of cases (12,649, or about 8%) over the past decade. Thyroid (5,869) and colorectal cancers (4,097) were second and third, respectively.

The data also showed that early-onset cancers increased in women by about 4.4%, but decreased in men by about 5%.

Which lifestyle changes are driving the increase in cancer rates?

The study published in JAMA specifically mentions some lifestyle choices that could be contributing to increased cancer rates. Dr. Otis Brawley, the Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Oncology and Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University, told CNN that his “gut suspicion” is that obesity, driven by high caloric intake and a decrease in physical activity, as well as increased alcohol consumption/binge drinking, are the most likely lifestyle choices. This suggestion tracks with a 2021 study which found that Gen X and Millennials were in worse health overall than their predecessors, especially in terms of “’physiological dysregulation,’ which includes problems like elevated blood pressure and cholesterol, excess belly fat, and substances in the blood that suggest the body is in a state of chronic inflammation.”

However, a 2022 study by Stanford Health indicates that Millennials, on average, “are eating healthier and exercising more than previous generations. They smoke less. Almost half consider healthy eating a lifestyle choice as opposed to a goal-driven diet.” And data from the International Food Information Council’s annual Food and Health Survey in 2022 found that Gen Z “prioritizes bolstering both their physical and mental health; the top benefits they seek out from foods, beverages, and nutrients were having more energy or less fatigue (with 38% saying this), improved sleep (35%), emotional or mental health (33%), and digestive or gut health (29%).” Furthermore, cancer rates decreased for Gen Xers.

In short, there’s no clear-cut answer, outside of obesity and alcohol abuse driving more cancers than scientists originally realized. So if the cancer rates increased significantly in people who are medically obese or who abuse alcohol, and not in the cohort overall, then it would be easy to focus on them exclusively. But the data provided is not that granular, so all we can do is speculate.

Can my cancer be misdiagnosed?

Cancers such as breast cancer and colorectal cancer were found in the JAMA study to be among the increasing cancers found in younger people. As it so happens, those same cancers are some of the most commonly misdiagnosed cancers, according to the National Law Review.

The National Association of Science Writers highlights that breast cancer misdiagnosis is a leading reason for medical malpractice claims. Moreover, the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that up to 31 percent of breast cancers are overdiagnosed, resulting in unnecessary treatments for precancerous cells that wouldn’t have caused harm. Meanwhile, mammograms can miss about 16 percent of breast cancer cases, potentially endangering patients. Detecting breast cancer early boasts a near 100 percent survival rate, but when it progresses to stage IV, only 28 percent survive five years or more. Thus, misdiagnosis can have severe and even deadly consequences.

Another cancer frequently overlooked by doctors is colorectal cancer. Detecting cancer of the colon, rectum, or bowel typically involves a colonoscopy, a procedure that allows doctors to examine the colon’s interior using cameras while the patient is sedated. This screening not only identifies cancer but can also prevent it by detecting and removing noncancerous polyps that might evolve into cancer. Misdiagnosing colon cancer is critical since the survival rate drops drastically from 91 percent at stage I to a mere 14 percent at stage IV. Ensuring accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial to improve outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer.

What are the symptoms of cancer?

Cancer symptoms can vary widely depending on the type of cancer, its stage, and the individual’s overall health. It’s important to note that many symptoms of cancer can also be caused by other conditions, so experiencing these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. However, if you experience persistent or unusual symptoms, it’s advisable to consult a medical professional for proper evaluation.

According to the American Cancer Society, common symptoms associated with cancer include:

• Unexplained weight loss. Significant and unexplained weight loss, especially without changes in diet or physical activity, can be a symptom of various types of cancer.
• Fatigue. Extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest can be a symptom of various cancers.
• Pain. Persistent pain that doesn’t go away, particularly if it’s not related to a known injury or condition, could be a sign of cancer. Pain may occur at the site of the tumor or may be felt in other areas due to the cancer’s effects on the body.
• Skin changes. Changes in the appearance of the skin, such as darkening, yellowing, redness, or itching, could be related to skin cancer or other types of cancer.
• Changes in bowel or bladder habits. Persistent changes in bowel movements, such as diarrhea, constipation, or blood in the stool, as well as changes in urination, could indicate colorectal, bladder, or prostate cancer.
• Coughing or hoarseness. Persistent coughing, wheezing, or hoarseness that doesn’t improve can be a symptom of lung, throat, or vocal cord cancers.
• Difficulty swallowing. Difficulty swallowing or persistent discomfort while swallowing may be associated with esophageal or throat cancers.
• Lumps or masses. New lumps or growths on the skin or in the body, such as breast lumps or testicular masses, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
• Changes in moles. Changes in the size, shape, color, or appearance of moles or other skin lesions can indicate skin cancer.
• Persistent fever or infections. Unexplained fever or infections that don’t go away, even with treatment, could be a sign of blood cancers like leukemia.
• Difficulty breathing. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing could be related to lung or other types of cancers.
• Changes in appetite. Changes in appetite, such as loss of appetite or a persistent feeling of fullness, can be indicative of certain types of cancer.
• Swelling. Unexplained swelling or fluid buildup in the body, known as edema, may be associated with various cancers.
• Unexplained bleeding. Any unexplained bleeding, such as blood in the urine, stool, or coughed up from the lungs, should be evaluated.

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