Latest news with #AndreanaHolowatyji
Economic Times
7 hours ago
- Health
- 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.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Appendix cancer rates quadruple among millennials, raising alarms for younger generations
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel 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 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 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.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Appendix Cancer Has Quadrupled in Millennials
Credit - Science Photo Library—Getty Images Cancer is generally a disease of old age. But researchers are increasingly finding that certain types—including colon, breast, stomach, and pancreatic cancers—are hitting people younger than 50 far more commonly than they used to. In a new report, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers at Vanderbilt University focus on a relatively rare cancer—appendiceal cancer, which occurs in the appendix—and found that its rates are also rising, especially among millennials. Andreana Holowatyji, assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and her colleagues analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program, a cancer registry that includes patients from 1975 to 2019. The scope of the dataset allowed them to look for generational differences in cancer rates. They specifically tracked appendix cancer, which for many years was misclassified as colorectal cancer since the appendix sits at the start of the large intestine. Recent studies have shown an increase in colorectal cancers among those under 50, and Holowatyji wanted to learn if the same trend was occurring for appendix cancer. 'We don't know what the risk factors are for appendix cancer, and seeing whether there are generational effects could help us to continue to put the pieces together of this complex puzzle,' she says. Read More: The Race to Explain Why More Young Adults Are Getting Cancer In their analysis, which involved more than 4,800 people diagnosed with appendix cancer, rates of the cancer tripled among those born in 1980—and quadrupled among those born in 1985—compared to people born in 1945. Rates increased in every birth cohort after 1945. In that time, rates of appendectomies remained about the same, which the researchers say largely rules out the possibility that more cases were detected from appendectomies performed. It's likely not a single factor but the interaction of several that contributes to an increased cancer risk in this age group, such as rising rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome as well as environmental exposures, Holowatyji says. 'The challenging thing now is to disentangle not only what these exposures are, but what molecular changes these exposures cause, and what the consequences of those changes are on our cells that may end up increasing the risk of carcinogenesis,' she says. Much more data is needed to better understand appendiceal cancer, and that starts with greater awareness and better diagnosis. Because it's rarer than colorectal cancer, Holowatyji says health care professionals and the public should be more attuned to potential symptoms and not ignore or dismiss them. These can include general complaints like bloating, changes in bowel movements, and loss of appetite. If they persist, people should see their doctor. Half of appendix cancers are diagnosed after it has already spread, so being more vigilant and intervening early could lead to better outcomes. 'While rare, appendix cancer is rising,' she says. 'Individuals know their bodies best, and if they experience any changes or symptoms, those aren't things they should overlook." Contact us at letters@
Time Magazine
9 hours ago
- Health
- Time Magazine
Appendix Cancer Has Quadrupled in Millennials
Cancer is generally a disease of old age. But researchers are increasingly finding that certain types—including colon, breast, stomach, and pancreatic cancers—are hitting people younger than 50 far more commonly than they used to. In a new report, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers at Vanderbilt University focus on a relatively rare cancer—appendiceal cancer, which occurs in the appendix—and found that its rates are also rising, especially among millennials. Andreana Holowatyji, assistant professor of hematology and oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and her colleagues analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program, a cancer registry that includes patients from 1975 to 2019. The scope of the dataset allowed them to look for generational differences in cancer rates. They specifically tracked appendix cancer, which for many years was misclassified as colorectal cancer since the appendix sits at the start of the large intestine. Recent studies have shown an increase in colorectal cancers among those under 50, and Holowatyji wanted to learn if the same trend was occurring for appendix cancer. 'We don't know what the risk factors are for appendix cancer, and seeing whether there are generational effects could help us to continue to put the pieces together of this complex puzzle,' she says. In their analysis, which involved more than 4,800 people diagnosed with appendix cancer, rates of the cancer tripled among those born in 1980—and quadrupled among those born in 1985—compared to people born in 1945. Rates increased in every birth cohort after 1945. In that time, rates of appendectomies remained about the same, which the researchers say largely rules out the possibility that more cases were detected from appendectomies performed. It's likely not a single factor but the interaction of several that contributes to an increased cancer risk in this age group, such as rising rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome as well as environmental exposures, Holowatyji says. 'The challenging thing now is to disentangle not only what these exposures are, but what molecular changes these exposures cause, and what the consequences of those changes are on our cells that may end up increasing the risk of carcinogenesis,' she says. Much more data is needed to better understand appendiceal cancer, and that starts with greater awareness and better diagnosis. Because it's rarer than colorectal cancer, Holowatyji says health care professionals and the public should be more attuned to potential symptoms and not ignore or dismiss them. These can include general complaints like bloating, changes in bowel movements, and loss of appetite. If they persist, people should see their doctor. Half of appendix cancers are diagnosed after it has already spread, so being more vigilant and intervening early could lead to better outcomes. 'While rare, appendix cancer is rising,' she says. 'Individuals know their bodies best, and if they experience any changes or symptoms, those aren't things they should overlook."
