In a troubling trend, rates of colorectal cancer among individuals aged 25 to 49 have surged in 24 countries, including the UK, US, France, Australia, Canada, Norway, and Argentina. This alarming rise was highlighted during the recent Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) congress in Geneva, where an international research team presented preliminary findings.
The investigation, conducted by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), analyzed data from 50 countries. The study revealed that in 14 countries, the increase in colorectal cancer rates was predominantly observed in younger adults, while older adults exhibited stable rates.
This alarming trend is part of a broader pattern, with various cancers, including breast cancer, showing similar increases among younger populations. Although deaths from breast cancer have decreased by around 10% over the last decade, the ACS reported a 1% annual rise in overall incidence rates, with a more pronounced increase of 1.4% per year among women under 50.
The emergence of early-onset cancers has raised concerns among health organizations, prompting a call for increased awareness among general practitioners. Sonali Johnson, head of advocacy at the UICC, noted that younger patients often do not receive the same level of attention for symptoms that could indicate cancer, leading to potential delays in diagnosis.
Eileen O’Reilly, a gastrointestinal medical oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, emphasized the disturbing reality of younger patients presenting with aggressive cancers, such as pancreatic cancer, typically associated with older age. “It’s not uncommon for me to see someone under 40 with pancreatic cancer,” O’Reilly stated, highlighting the profound implications for families and society.
While hereditary risk factors have traditionally been linked to cancer, many young-onset cases do not present obvious genetic predispositions. Tumors in younger patients often appear more aggressive, contributing to poorer prognoses despite the patients’ overall good health.
As oncologists recognize this troubling trend, there is a pressing need to identify the underlying causes. Several studies have pointed to lifestyle factors, including obesity and metabolic syndrome, as potential contributors to increased cancer risk. A recent study indicated that excess body weight between ages 18 and 40 is associated with a higher risk of various cancers.
Shuji Ogino, a professor of pathology and epidemiology at Harvard University, underscored the importance of lifestyle changes in the rising rates of early-onset cancers. He cited poor dietary choices, sedentary lifestyles, and metabolic issues as key factors contributing to the observed trends.
However, obesity alone does not account for the entirety of the issue. Many young patients are fit and healthy, raising questions about other potential carcinogenic influences. Ogino suggested that changing sleep patterns and increased exposure to artificial light could also play a role in the rising cancer rates, with studies linking poor sleep quality to a heightened cancer risk.
The urgency to investigate these trends has grown, with experts warning that if current patterns continue, the burden of cancer may increase significantly, reversing years of public health progress. As researchers strive to uncover the multifaceted causes of early-onset cancers, the need for awareness and proactive measures becomes increasingly critical.
