Why more young adults get cancer?
E shock Luisa Toscano wen she find out say she get breast cancer.
"E dey completely unexpected," na so di 38 years old mother of two from Brazil tok. "I bin dey young, healthy, fit and no get any risk factors - dis tin no suppose happun to me. I no fit believe am. Cancer dey very far from my reality."
Dem diagnose Luisa say e get stage three cancer for March 2024, wey mean say e don already advance.
She do four and half months of chemotherapy, do surgery to remove some part of her breast, and den radiotherapy.
Luisa complete her treatment for August, but still need to take medication to prevent cancer from returning.
"Chemotherapy dey aggressive, but my body hold am well, dis na sake of say I dey active, dey young and resilient body," na so she tok.
Den surgery come
"I happy say I no get to remove di whole breast. Di hardest part na wen I loose my hairs. Evertin happen so quick and intensely wen I look inside mirror, fear go catch me, and e affect my pikin dem too."
Luisa tori no be di only one, but e dey help highlight di trend as e dey grow for world: more young adults don dey get diagnosed wit cancer, even wen some no get any family history of di disease.
Cancer dey more common for older pipo due to biological, environmental and lifestyle factors; for example, ageing dey increase cell divisions, wey dey lead to mutation build-up and higher cancer risk.
Oncologists don already link early cancer diagnosis for younger pipo to wetin dem inherit, like BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations for breast cancer.
However, more patients, like Luisa, bin no dey show any clear signs say e dey her family.
Rising cases
One recent study wey BMJ Oncology publish find out say, early stage cancer among adults under 50 across di world increase by 79% between 1990 to 2019, while cancer related deaths from di same group rise by 28%.
Di study analyze 29 types of cancer across 204 countries.
Also, one report from Lancet Public Health reveal say di rates of 17 types of cancer don steadily rise across generations for US, particularly among Gen X and di millennials (born between 1965 and 1996).
Oda cancers like nasopharyngeal, stomach and colorectal cancer don increase among young adults according to di BMJ oncology report.
Possible causes
Researchers dey try identify di causes, even as di Lancet study dey warn say if di growth continue, e go reverse di many many years of progress wey dem don make for cancer prevention.
So far, dietary factors like diets wey dey high in red meat and sodium and low in fruits and milk - along with alcohol consumption and tobacco use, dey among do suspected culprits according to di BMJ Oncology and Lancet reports
And obesity dey strongly linked increased cancer risk through inflammation and hormonal deregulation, according to di World Health Organization.
Di Lancet report note say 10 of di 17 cancers wey dey increase among young pipo for di US dey obesity related, including kidney, ovarian, liver, pancreatic, and gallbladder cancers.
However dis factors no explain all di cases.
Scientists dey also explore oda potential contributors.
Some say na constant exposure to artificial light from devices or street lights dey disrupt di biological clock, increase risks for cancers like breast, colon, ovarian and prostrate.
Oda studies dey suggest say shift work, wit prolonged exposure to light for night, fit also lower melatonin levels wey dey promote cancer growth.
For June 2023, colorectal surgeon Frank Frizelle for New Zealand call for research into di kain tin wey microplastics dey do for bowel cancer.
Im dey suggest say dem dey damage di protective colonic mucus layer, wey dey similar to putting pinholes inside condom.
Other researchers don argue say ultra-processed food additives like emulsifiers and colourants, fit drive gut inflammation and DNA damage.
Gut disruptions dey linked not only to colorectal cancer but also to breast and blood cancers according to American Association of Cancer Research.
Antibiotics use go up by about 45% through out di world since 2000 - especially among young kids - dis fit be anoda culprit as e dey disrupt di gut microbiome. Na so one group of Italian researchers tok for di 2019 report, as dem say e get link to some cancers.
Even increasing heights across generations fit get hand for rising cancer rate, na so Malcom Dunlop tok. Im be professor of coloproctology for University of Edinburgh, Scotland and co-author of di BMJ Oncology report.
"Humans across di world don dey grow taller… and e get strong connection between height and orishirishi cancers, including colon cancer, for instance," e say.
E add say link dey between cancer risks to more cells, and exposure to natural growth hormone and larger colon surface area, wey dey increase opportunities for mutations.
E say screening younger population for cancer no dey cost effective due to low absolute risks, despite di relative increase in cancer cases.
According to di US National Cancer Institute (NCI), 80% of cancer cases na for pipo wey dey age 55 and above dem dey see am.
Call to practitioners
However dis scenario wey dey occur, don make major organizations like Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise awareness among general practitioners about di early-age cancers to make sure say dem no overlook symptoms for younger patients.
"If pesin wey dey over 60 report say e dey dey am difficult to poopoo, fatigue and bloating, doctors dey take dese symptoms seriously and recommend thorough screening. However for someone wey dey dia 30s wey dey active and fit into dim profile of colorectal cancer, dem fit dismis dem as minor aches," na so Dr. Alexandre Jacome from di Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology tok. E add say later diagnosis fit jeopardize survival chances.
But Dr. Jacome note say younger patients dey tolerate aggressive treatments beta most times wen dem catch di cancer early, and dis go improve dia chance of recovery.
Dr Dunlop also raise concerns about long term implications of early-oage cancers.
"Younger individuals wey dey affected by dis cancer fit carry dis risk enta older age", na so e warn. "Sabi na to tok of di worrying increase for di future, abi na just one particular age group wey dem expose to sometin"
Life-Changing Experience
After dem don treat Luisa cancer, she say "di biggest lesson na to embrace both di hard and di joyful delays equally. Wen dark emotions come, I let dem flow, wen I feel strong, I cherish di moments, knowing say dem go pass too."
Her advise for odas na to "take am one day at a time. Listen to your body - some days, di best you fit do na rest, and dat one dey ok. Cancer get stigma, na shadow, but e no suppose define you. Life get, growth and meaning even for di hardest times."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
The signs of killer cancer you've NEVER heard of that's rising in young people, from waist size clue to bloating
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CANCER is typically thought of as a disease of old age. But doctors are increasingly finding that certain types, particularly bowel cancer, are hitting younger people far more than they used to. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Symptoms of appendix cancer include loating and a growing belly or waist size In a new report, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists have found that appendiceal cancer - a very rare form of the disease - is also on the rise. An analysis of over 4000 people in the US, found that compared with older generations, rates of the condition, also called appendix cancer, have tripled among Gen X and quadrupled among millennials. 'There is a disproportionate burden of appendix cancer among young individuals,' said the study's lead author, Andreana Holowatyj, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in the US, told NBC News. The researchers suggest that environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that intensified after the second-world war may explain the concerning increase in appendix cancer rates. They point to dietary habits, gut bacteria changes, greater prevalence of conditions inflaming the gastrointestinal tract in particular. 'Similar trends have been reported for other gastrointestinal cancers, suggestive of potential shared cause contributing to this increasing cancer burden across generations,' the study noted. Although the new study, published yesterday, did not include individuals from the UK, a study published in 2022 did, revealing a similar trend. The research, published in BJS Open, showed that cases of the disease in the UK have more than quadrupled in the UK. There were a total of 949 cases between 1995 and 2001, which jumped to 4132 total cases between 2010 and 2016. Still, appendix cancers are extremely rare. The 4 signs of bowel cancer that mean it's 'too late' - as doctor reveals cause of surge in young people being diagnosed According to the National Cancer Institute, they occur at a rate of 1 to 2 cases per million people annually in the US. Meanwhile, in the UK, where the population is smaller, around 640 people are diagnosed with the disease each year. The appendix is a small pouch of tissue that hangs off the abdomen. It is part of the intestines and bowel, which absorb nutrients and remove waste from the body. Experts do not know what the appendix does, but it may help the immune system. There are two main types of appendiceal cancer: epithelial appendiceal cancer and neuroendocrine appendiceal cancer. The symptoms of appendiceal cancer can vary but may include abdominal pain, bloating, the presence of a lump in the tummy, nausea, and feeling full quickly after eating.
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
The signs of killer cancer you've NEVER heard of that's rising in young people, from waist size clue to bloating
CANCER is typically thought of as a disease of old age. But doctors are increasingly finding that certain types, particularly bowel cancer, are hitting younger people far more than they used to. 2 In a new report, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, scientists have found that appendiceal cancer - a very rare form of the disease - is also on the rise. An analysis of over 4000 people in the US, found that compared with older generations, rates of the condition, also called appendix cancer, have tripled among Gen X and quadrupled among millennials. 'There is a disproportionate burden of appendix cancer among young individuals,' said the study's lead author, Andreana Holowatyj, from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in the US, told NBC News. The researchers suggest that environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors that intensified after the second-world war may explain the concerning increase in appendix cancer rates. They point to dietary habits, gut bacteria changes, greater prevalence of conditions inflaming the gastrointestinal tract in particular. 'Similar trends have been reported for other gastrointestinal cancers, suggestive of potential shared cause contributing to this increasing cancer burden across generations,' the study noted. Although the new study, published yesterday, did not include individuals from the UK, a study published in 2022 did, revealing a similar trend. The research, published in BJS Open, showed that cases of the disease in the UK have more than quadrupled in the UK. There were a total of 949 cases between 1995 and 2001, which jumped to 4132 total cases between 2010 and 2016. Still, appendix cancers are extremely rare. The 4 signs of bowel cancer that mean it's 'too late' - as doctor reveals cause of surge in young people being diagnosed According to the National Cancer Institute, they occur at a rate of 1 to 2 cases per million people annually in the US. Meanwhile, in the UK, where the population is smaller, around 640 people are diagnosed with the disease each year. The appendix is a small pouch of tissue that hangs off the abdomen. It is part of the intestines and bowel, which absorb nutrients and remove waste from the body. Experts do not know what the appendix does, but it may help the immune system. There are two main types of appendiceal cancer: epithelial appendiceal cancer and neuroendocrine appendiceal cancer. The symptoms of appendiceal cancer can vary but may include abdominal pain, bloating, the presence of a lump in the tummy, nausea, and feeling full quickly after eating.
STV News
3 days ago
- STV News
Women with genetic cancer risk being ‘missed' due to testing gaps
Families of some cancer patients are being denied the chance to find out about their cancer risk due to gaps in genetic testing, a new study has suggested. A lack of testing for Lynch syndrome also means some cancer patients are unaware of their risk of developing other cancers, academics said. Lynch syndrome is a rare condition which runs in families which puts people at a higher risk of developing cancers of the bowel, womb and ovaries. It is caused by a mutation in the gene that fixes mistakes in DNA when it is copied, which can lead to uncontrolled cell growth. Patients with bowel or womb cancer should have their tumours assessed for markers of Lynch syndrome, according to guidance for the NHS. If these markers are identified, patients should be referred for genetic testing so the diagnosis can be confirmed and they can get support and advice about cancer risk for themselves and their family. A new study by academics at the University of Edinburgh found not all womb cancer patients are being sent for genetic testing. Researchers examined data on 2,500 womb cancer patients across the UK and Ireland between 2022 and 2023. They found that 91% of tumours were tested for markers of Lynch syndrome, but the test results were not routinely communicated to the wider clinical team. This means that follow-up genetic counselling and blood tests were not always arranged. Of the 181 participants eligible for genetic counselling, just under two-thirds (64%) were referred for appointments, according to the study, which has been published in the journal BMJ Oncology. Researchers said those who were referred faced long waits, resulting in high dropout rates, meaning only 48% of those eligible went on to get the test. Experts from the university said gaps in testing mean some womb cancer patients with Lynch syndrome go undetected. Family members are also left vulnerable to cancer risk, unaware they may have the condition. Dr Neil Ryan, from the University of Edinburgh, who leads the UK audit and research collaborative in obstetrics and gynaecology, said: 'Despite clear guidance and excellent rates of tumour testing, too many women with Lynch syndrome are still being missed because they're not referred for definitive blood testing in a timely way. 'This not only denies them the chance to reduce their future cancer risk but also prevents their relatives from being tested and protected. 'Tumour testing is only cost-effective if it leads to diagnosis — we urgently need to make mainstream testing truly mainstream.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
