Cancer among people under the age of 50 has become more common worldwide, according to The Guardian.
Figures cited by The Guardian show that the number of cases increased from 1.82 million in 1990 to 3.26 million in 2019.
At the same time, the number of deaths among younger cancer patients rose by 27 percent. Researchers are therefore working to identify the causes behind this trend.
Examining sleep
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago, researchers from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas presented findings from two studies, according to The Guardian. The studies were based on health data from more than 18 million Americans between the ages of 18 and 50.
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The studies found that people with poor sleep habits were more likely to be diagnosed with cancers such as colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and cancers of the uterus and ovaries.
According to The Guardian, other experts consider the findings interesting but emphasize that more research is needed to better understand the connection.
A possible explanation
Researchers cannot yet say whether sleep problems directly cause cancer. The studies only show that there is an association.
Experts point out that poor sleep may affect the body's immune system while also making it more difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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This can lead to less physical activity, weight gain, and other well-known risk factors.
Sources: The Guardian and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
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