Appendix cancer rates quadruple among millennials, raising alarms for younger generations
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A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has revealed a sharp and troubling rise in appendix cancer rates among younger generations, particularly millennials and Generation X. Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute 's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, tracking cases from 1975 to 2019. Their findings show that the incidence of appendix cancer has tripled among those born in 1980 and quadrupled for individuals born in 1985, compared to people born in 1945.Although appendix cancer remains rare—about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States , a fraction of the more than 150,000 cases of colorectal cancer—the generational trend is significant. The study's lead author, Dr. Andreana Holowatyji, emphasized that the rise is not due to increased appendectomies, as surgical rates have remained stable over time.Instead, the increase points to broader shifts in environmental and lifestyle risk factors.Experts suggest that the surge in appendix cancer rates mirrors patterns seen in other gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal and stomach cancers, which are also rising among people under 50. Potential contributors include higher rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods, especially processed meats and sugary beverages. However, the precise causes remain unclear, and researchers stress the need for further investigation into environmental exposures and molecular changes that may drive carcinogenesis.Symptoms of appendix cancer can be vague—such as bloating, changes in bowel habits, and loss of appetite—making early diagnosis challenging. The study underscores the importance of greater awareness among both healthcare professionals and the public, as early detection remains critical for better outcomes.With appendix cancer incidence rising sharply in younger adults, the findings highlight an urgent need for continued research and public health vigilance to address this emerging cancer trend.
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India Today
an hour ago
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Appendix cancer on the rise among US millennials, new study finds
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 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 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 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 IS THIS HAPPENING?Unlike more common cancers, the causes of appendix cancer remain 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 the number of appendectomies (surgical removal of the appendix) has stayed the same over the years, the researchers rules out the possibility that more cancers are simply being discovered because more surgeries are being 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 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 is also seeing an increase in young people diagnosed with cancers traditionally considered diseases of older inactive for long periods, high intake of processed diets, exposure to pollution, and lack of early screening all play a 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 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. advertisement
Deccan Herald
3 hours ago
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Rare appendix cancers are increasing among millennials and Gen X
Cancer incidence rates among members of Generation X were two to three times higher than among people born in the 1940s, according to the study, which was published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Rates among older millennials, born in the 1980s, were more than four times higher.
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Economic Times
Appendix cancer rates quadruple among millennials, raising alarms for younger generations
IANS Appendix cancer rates quadruple among millennials A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine has revealed a sharp and troubling rise in appendix cancer rates among younger generations, particularly millennials and Generation X. Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program, tracking cases from 1975 to 2019. Their findings show that the incidence of appendix cancer has tripled among those born in 1980 and quadrupled for individuals born in 1985, compared to people born in 1945. Although appendix cancer remains rare—about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed annually in the United States, a fraction of the more than 150,000 cases of colorectal cancer—the generational trend is significant. The study's lead author, Dr. Andreana Holowatyji, emphasized that the rise is not due to increased appendectomies, as surgical rates have remained stable over the increase points to broader shifts in environmental and lifestyle risk factors. Experts suggest that the surge in appendix cancer rates mirrors patterns seen in other gastrointestinal cancers, such as colorectal and stomach cancers, which are also rising among people under 50. Potential contributors include higher rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods, especially processed meats and sugary beverages. However, the precise causes remain unclear, and researchers stress the need for further investigation into environmental exposures and molecular changes that may drive of appendix cancer can be vague—such as bloating, changes in bowel habits, and loss of appetite—making early diagnosis challenging. The study underscores the importance of greater awareness among both healthcare professionals and the public, as early detection remains critical for better appendix cancer incidence rising sharply in younger adults, the findings highlight an urgent need for continued research and public health vigilance to address this emerging cancer trend.
