Cancer is sweeping the world in people under the age of 50

Can we talk about an epidemic?

Cancer has been the scourge of humanity since its beginning, but a new study worries scientists, as it shows that something has changed. Since 1990, the number of adults under the age of 50 with cancer has increased dramatically worldwide, showing no signs of slowing down. Furthermore, improvements in diagnostic technology do not seem to explain this increase.

We found that the risk increases with each generation. For example, people born in 1960 have a higher risk of developing cancer before 50 than people born in 1950, and we predict that the level of risk will continue to increase with each generation. – Shuji Ogino, Brigham epidemiologist

Until now we only knew cancer increased in over 50s after the 40s and 50s. But the researchers wanted to know why it is increasing in the under-50s. The research looked at 14 different types of cancer and found an increase in adults under 50 between 2000 and 2012. By looking at other published research as well as evidence in the literature of unique clinical and biological characteristics of tumors that differentiate into over 50 and under 50, attempted to answer the question of whether this trend constitutes a new global epidemic.

So the results clearly say “yes”.

The incidence of cancer after 50 started to increase after 1950, while before 50 did not start to increase until 1990.

One of the things that has changed drastically in these decades is our diet. Evidence suggests that a combination of diet, lifestyle, weight, microbiome and environmental factors are involved.

Of the 14 types of cancer we studied, eight were related to the digestive system. The foods we eat feed the microorganisms in our gut. Diet directly affects the composition of the microbiome and ultimately, these changes affect disease risk and outcome.

Other risk factors include sugary drinks, a sedentary lifestyle and alcohol consumption, all of which have increased dramatically since the 1950s.

The team will continue their research to build a foundation on which more studies can be based. The aim is to educate people in a healthier lifestyle in their younger years to reduce the risk of developing cancer before 50.

The research was published in Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology https://www.nature.com/articles/s41571-022-00672-8.epdf .