Increase in Gastrointestinal Cancer Rates Among Young Adults
Recent studies show a concerning rise in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers among younger adults, highlighting the significant role of American dietary habits and lifestyle choices.
According to a study published in the notable British Journal of Surgery, environmental factors are being looked at as the possible main contributors to this increasing trend, rather than genetics.
Lead researcher Dr. Sara Char from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, shared with Fox News Digital that common factors linked to early-onset gastrointestinal cancer include obesity, a couch-potato lifestyle, excessive drinking, and smoking.
Understanding Risk Factors
Statistics from the study reveal a striking correlation between modern eating habits—often characterized as a “Western-pattern diet”—and rising GI cancer rates.
Colorectal cancer stands as the most prevalent type found in younger generations, but other serious cancers like pancreatic, esophageal, gastric, biliary, appendiceal, and neuroendocrine cancers are also becoming more common in individuals under the age of 50.
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Data from the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggests that people born in 1990 have significantly elevated risks: they are twice as likely to develop colon cancer and face a fourfold increase in the risk of rectal cancer compared to individuals born in 1950.
Dr. Paul Oberstein, who oversees the Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Program at NYU Langone’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, echoes this sentiment, stating a person’s dietary choices greatly affect colon cancer risks.
Effects of a Western Diet
In his commentary, Oberstein explained how a diet consisting heavily of items typical of a Western diet correlates to a heightened colon cancer risk. Generally, this type of diet includes larger amounts of red and processed meats, sugary processed foods, and refined grains.
Common individual foods that fit into this pattern also include processed meats and sugary beverages. Even though the overall occurrence of colon cancer remains low in this demographic, Dr. Oberstein insists that more studies are essential to understand the pivotal factors leading up to this issue.
“We need a deeper dive into whether our diet, vitamin supplements, alcohol, or other products could be contributing to this upward trend,” he stated.
Preventative Actions
Dr. Char emphasizes the importance of following approved colon cancer screening guidelines, starting at age 45 in most cases. Individuals should also report any symptoms like unusual bowel habits, blood in stools, or unexplained pain that should prompt immediate medical evaluation.
Signs indicating the need for doctor consultations include alterations in bowel habits, blood presence in stool, unexplained abdominal or back pain, and significant weight loss—all of which should trigger an urgent checkup.
Younger adults can mitigate these risks through lifestyle adjustments: quit smoking, limit alcohol use, regulate red meat intake, stay active physically, and keep a healthy body weight.
Source Article:Growing GI Cancers in Young Adults Linked to Western Diet
