A major study published in BMJ Oncology and reported by LADbible shows that 11 different types of cancer have become more common among young people ranging from their late teens to their 40s.
These include colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and thyroid cancer.
Colorectal and breast cancers are the most prevalent and account for around 11,500 cases annually among younger adults.
Most of these cancer types are also increasingly seen in older populations.
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Known causes do not explain the trend
Researchers have examined whether changes in lifestyle could explain the increase.
Smoking and alcohol consumption have declined, and many people have become more physically active.
Dietary factors, such as the consumption of processed foods or low fiber intake, also do not align with the rise in cancer cases.
This means that the most well-known risk factors do not provide a clear explanation.
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Possible explanations under investigation
One factor that mirrors the trend is the rise in overweight and obesity since the 1990s.
Excess weight can affect hormone levels in the body and increase the risk of certain cancers, but researchers believe it does not fully explain the trend.
They are therefore also examining other possible causes, including environmental influences, air pollution, antibiotic use, and changes in gut bacteria.
Researchers are still unable to explain the majority of cancer cases among young people, even though they have now identified some possible associations.
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Sources: LADbible and BMJ Oncology.
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