In a concerning trend, cancer cases have been skyrocketing in young, raising concern about the changing face of the deadly disease that is now striking a population that was earlier considered less vulnerable to the disease. Cancer risk can significantly go up as one grows old, but a recent report from the American Cancer Society has revealed changing trends, with rising cancer rates now seen in younger adults, particularly women.
Alarming trends highlighted in the report show rising rates of early-onset cancers, including breast, uterine, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers, among adults under 50. While genetic and lifestyle factors play a role, experts are now exploring the impact of environmental exposures on this troubling rise.
A new American Cancer Society report revealed women in some age groups are being diagnosed with cancer more often than men. The findings suggested that higher cancer rates are shifting from men to women, and the gaps between sexes, as well as between older and younger adults, have narrowed greatly.
The annual report, published Thursday in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, found the cancer mortality rate declined by 34% from 1991 to 2022 in the United States.
The American Cancer Society’s data also noted cancer rates in women ages 50 to 64 are now higher than in men. For reasons little understood, more young and middle-aged women are getting the disease.
Simple lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, moderating alcohol intake, and eating a nutrient-rich diet can significantly lower cancer risks.
Here are some small steps you can take today which can go a long way in cancer prevention:
Maintain a healthy weight
Losing weight by adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk of cancer from lifestyle factors. Being overweight or obese is associated with a higher risk of getting 13 types of cancer including breast cancer, colon cancer, uterus cancer, gallbladder cancer, liver cancer among others. These cancers make up 40% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States each year. According to the American Cancer Society, the links between excess body weight and cancer are complex and are not yet fully understood. “For example, while studies have found that excess weight is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer in women after menopause, it does not seem to increase the risk of breast cancer before menopause. The reasons for this are not clear,” the organization said.
Stay tobacco-free
Quitting tobacco-based products like cigarettes and smokeless tobacco can cut your cancer risk dramatically. Tobacco use is associated with cancers like lung cancer, mouth cancer, and bladder cancer. A decade of quitting cigarettes can lower your lung cancer risk by 30-50% and also reduces risk of bladder, esophagus, or kidney cancer. This can further go down with subsequent years of kicking the butt. You can reduce risk of mouth, throat, or voice box cancer by quitting these products for 5-10 years.
Eat fibre-rich foods
Consuming foods rich in fibre can keep your gut healthy, prevent weight gain, and cut risk of at least 13 types of cancer. It especially reduces the risk of bowel cancer. Fibre-rich foods can add bulk to your stool, helping its movement in the bowel. It also clears out harmful substances from your bowel.
Don't drink alcohol
Drinking alcohol is linked to seven kinds of cancer including that of mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, colon and rectum, liver, and breast cancer. US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy recently urged for updating labels for alcoholic beverages to highlight this risk. The Surgeon General added that alcohol is the third-preventable cause of cancer in the US, after tobacco and obesity.
Wear a sunscreen
Sun's harmful UV rays could raise skin cancer risk and it's important to wear sunscreen for prevention of this deadly disease. It works by blocking or absorbing the UV rays that cause skin cancer. While there has been a concern about sunscreen causing cancer, there isn't clear evidence about sunscreen use increasing the risk for breast cancer or any other kind of cancer.
Physical activity
Working out everyday not only keeps you fit and in shape, it also reduces risk of several chronic diseases including cancer. People who are physically active face a lower risk of developing several commonly occurring cancers like breast cancer, colon cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer among others.
Being up-to-date with your cancer screening is important as it plays a vital role in cancer prevention by detecting the disease in its early, more treatable stages, often before symptoms appear. Early detection through screening can reduce cancer-related mortality and improve long-term survival rates. It also allows for timely interventions, reducing the likelihood of advanced disease progression.
Early onset cancers on rise
In the age group of 20-29 year, thyroid cancer, testicular cancer, melanoma, and Hodgkin lymphoma are the most common cancer types, on the other hand, in 30 to 39 year olds, breast cancer, thyroid cancer, melanoma, and colon and rectum cancer are the most common cancer types. According to Jama Network, gastrointestinal cancers had the fastest-growing incidence rates among all early-onset cancers.
Additionally, early detection and regular screenings are essential for improving outcomes, as many of these cancers are more treatable when caught early. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and avoiding tobacco use can also play a crucial role in reducing the risk. Researchers continue to study the trends and risk factors to better understand and combat early-onset cancers in these age groups.
Here’s a list of 5 foods that may help protect against cancer:
Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale are rich in sulforaphane, a compound shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Berries: Blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries are high in antioxidants like anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which may help reduce free radical damage linked to cancer.
Turmeric: This spice contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound believed to slow the development of certain types of cancer.
Tomatoes: Packed with lycopene, an antioxidant linked to reduced risks of prostate and breast cancer, particularly when cooked.
Garlic: Allicin, the active compound in garlic, may reduce the risk of stomach and colorectal cancers by boosting immune function and reducing inflammation.
(Picture courtesy: iStock)
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