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.
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NDTV
18 hours ago
- NDTV
Rare Appendix Cancer On Rise Among Millennials And Gen X: Study
A rare appendix cancer is rapidly increasing among Generation X and millennials, a new study has revealed. When compared to previous generations, the incidence has tripled or quadrupled, it added. According to a paper published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine, appendiceal adenocarcinoma (AA) rates have tripled among Gen X and quadrupled among millennials compared to previous generations, based on an analysis of a National Cancer Institute database. The incidence of appendiceal adenocarcinoma is increasing in all age groups in the United States. Although they have not yet been studied, birth cohort patterns of AA can offer new etiologic hints on the rising prevalence. Vanderbilt University Medical Centre researchers examined data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute, which tracked incidents between 1975 and 2019. According to their data, the incidence of appendix cancer has quadrupled for those born in 1985 and tripled for those born in 1980 when compared to those born in 1945. Although appendix cancer is very rare - roughly 3,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the US, a small portion of the more than 150,000 instances of colorectal cancer - there is a noticeable generational trend. A total of 4,858 cases of appendix cancer were reported between 1975 and 2019. The increase in appendix cancer rates, according to experts, is similar to trends in other gastrointestinal cancers, like colorectal and stomach cancers. They are also on the rise among those under 50. Increased use of ultra-processed foods, particularly processed meats and sugary beverages, as well as increased rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome, are possible causes of appendiceal adenocarcinoma (AA) among younger generations. Dr Andreana Holowatyji, the study's principal author, stressed the rise was not the result of more appendectomies because surgery rates remained constant over time. It indicates more significant lifestyle changes and environmental risk factors. "There is a disproportionate burden of appendix cancer among young individuals," Dr Andreana Holowatyji told NBC News. Early detection of appendix cancer can be difficult since its symptoms - bloating, changes in bowel habits, and appetite loss - can be ambiguous. The exact causes remain unidentified, and scientists emphasise the importance of more research into environmental exposures and molecular alterations that could contribute to appendix cancers.
Deccan Herald
21 hours ago
- Deccan Herald
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
a day 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.
