Study: Cancer is rapidly getting younger, scientists say

Recent research by oncology scientists is disappointing – after analyzing patient data, they claim that over three decades the number of cancer patients under 50 years of age has increased by 79%.

Research results published in the magazine BMJ Oncology. As MedicalXpress reports, scientists used data from the Global Burden of Disease for 2019, which covered 29 types of cancer in 204 countries and regions. The study looked at key criteria to determine changes between 1990 and 2019:

• new cases of illness;
• mortality;
• health consequences;
• additional risk factors for people 14 to 49 years old.

Breast cancer accounts for the largest number of new cases – 13.7 per 100 thousand people, as well as deaths associated with this disease – 3.5 per 100 thousand of the world population.

The number of cases of tracheal and prostate cancer has increased significantly: by 2.28% and 2.23%, respectively, over the past 30 years. But young people began to suffer from liver cancer by 2.8% less often.

In 2019, 1.06 million people under the age of 50 died from cancer. The figure exceeds the same figure in 1990 by 28%. The most common causes of death from cancer are:

• mammary gland;
• trachea;
• lungs;
• intestines;
• stomach.

Geographically, the highest rates of cancer at a young age are found in Australasia*, Western Europe and North America. Significantly increased the number of cancer patients and deaths under the age of 50 in Eastern Europe, Oceania, Central Asia.

Income level and cancer are closely related. However, in low- and middle-income countries, early-stage cancer affects women significantly more than men. In this regard, experts predict that in 2023 the number of new cases of cancer and related deaths will increase by another 31% and 21%, respectively. The majority of potential patients will be approximately 40 years old.

In addition to genetic predisposition to oncological diseases, risk factors, writes MedicalXpress, speakers:

• alcohol consumption;
• a diet high in red meat and salt, and low in fruit and milk;
• overweight;
• high blood sugar;
• physical inactivity.

*Australasia (eng. Australasia) – a region that includes Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand and the islands of the Pacific Ocean adjacent to them.

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