Appendix cancer on the rise among US millennials, new study finds

India Today

2 days ago

From breast and colon to stomach and pancreatic cancers, doctors are now seeing more cases in people under the age of 50. A new study adds another surprising cancer to that list: appendix cancer.While it remains extremely rare, appendix cancer is steadily increasing, especially among younger generations - millennials and Gen Z in the US, according to new research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.advertisementThe study, led by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Centre, found that the number of people diagnosed with a type of appendix cancer called appendiceal adenocarcinoma (AA) has spiked in recent decades.
Using data from the National Cancer Institute's SEER program, a comprehensive US cancer registry, researchers tracked cases between 1975 and 2019.They analysed trends by birth cohort and discovered a clear pattern: people born after 1945 showed rising rates of appendix cancer, with the sharpest increases among those born in 1980 and 1985.
A study found that the number of people diagnosed with a type of appendix cancer has spiked in recent decades. ()
advertisementIn fact, rates tripled for the 1980 birth cohort and quadrupled for the 1985 group when compared to people born in 1945."This suggests that something has changed in the environment or lifestyle of newer generations that's contributing to this rise,' said lead researcher Dr. Andreana Holowatyji, assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Vanderbilt.WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?Unlike more common cancers, the causes of appendix cancer remain unclear.The appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine, was long overlooked and often lumped in with colon cancer. But as diagnostic tools and cancer registries improve, it's become easier to track this specific type of cancer.Interestingly, the number of appendectomies (surgical removal of the appendix) has stayed the same over the years, the researchers found.This rules out the possibility that more cancers are simply being discovered because more surgeries are being done.The researchers believe that lifestyle and environmental factors may be to blame. Rising rates of obesity and metabolic disorders among younger generations are a known risk factor for several cancers. But Holowatyji says it's probably not just one thing.
The appendix, a small pouch attached to the large intestine, was long overlooked and often lumped in with colon cancer. ()
"It's likely a combination of influences, things like diet, chemicals in the environment, or even changes in the gut microbiome, that could be triggering changes in the body's cells and increasing the risk," she told TIME.WHY IT MATTERS FOR INDIA'S YOUNG ADULTSThough the study was based on US data, the findings carry relevance globally, including for Indian millennials and Gen Z.India is also seeing an increase in young people diagnosed with cancers traditionally considered diseases of older adults.Staying inactive for long periods, high intake of processed diets, exposure to pollution, and lack of early screening all play a role.Since appendix cancer is still so rare, awareness among doctors and the public is low. This means symptoms, like unexplained bloating, changes in bowel habits, or appetite loss, can easily be dismissed as minor digestive issues.The authors of the study are calling for more research into the causes of appendix cancer, especially in younger populations, increased awareness not just among medical professionals but also among young adults themselves.
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