According to research conducted by the American Cancer Society in the United States, younger generations, specifically Millennials and Gen X are more likely to develop certain types of cancers compared to older generations.
Generation X, are those born between 1965 and 1980, currently aged 44 to 59 years old. Millennials, born between 1981 and 1996, are now 28 to 43 years old. The study found that these younger generations face an increased risk of developing 17 out of 34 cancer types examined, including;
- Breast cancer (specifically estrogen receptor-positive)
- Colorectal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Gastric cancer (including gastric cardia and non-cardia gastric)
- Liver cancer (in females)
- Uterine corpus cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Small intestinal cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Anal cancer (in males)
- Kaposi sarcoma (in males)
- Testicular cancer
- Non-HPV-associated oral and pharyngeal cancers
- Myeloma
- Leukemia
- Endometrial cancer (mentioned as the fastest-growing cancer in diagnosis and mortality rate)
This list represents the cancer types that have shown increased incidence rates in younger generations, particularly among those born between 1965 and 1996 (Gen X and Millennials).
One of the most alarming findings is that individuals born in 1990 have a two to three times higher risk of developing certain cancers, such as pancreatic, kidney, and small intestinal cancers, compared to those born in 1955.
Mortality Trends
The study, further revealed that the mortality trends increased in conjunction with the incidence rates for several specific cancers among younger generations such as liver cancer (in females only), uterine corpus cancer, gallbladder cancer, testicular cancer, and colorectal cancer. While mortality declined or remained stable for most cancers in younger generations, there was an increase in death rates for the cancers listed above.
Endometrial cancer showed the fastest growth in both diagnosis and mortality rates among the cancers studied.
The study noted that for many cancers with rising incidence rates, there wasn’t necessarily a corresponding increase in mortality. This was attributed to advancements in treatment that have improved outcomes for many cancer types.
Dr. Doug Flora, Executive Director of Oncology Services at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, confirms that these findings align with recent observations in oncology clinics. He notes, “We’re seeing a fairly significant boost in the number of patients dying of cancer at ages that we previously haven’t seen.”
The researchers emphasized that these mortality trends, alongside the increased incidence rates, indicate a generational shift in cancer risk that could lead to an overall increase in cancer burden in the future if not addressed effectively.
While the exact causes of this trend remain unclear, several factors may contribute to the increased cancer risk among younger generations.
Potential Causes and Risk Factors
The research, along with expert commentary, identified several potential causes and risk factors contributing to the higher cancer incidence among Gen X and Millennials. Here are the main points:
Obesity: This is considered a primary factor. The American Cancer Society reports that about 20% of cancer cases in the U.S. are linked to excess body weight. Obesity rates have significantly increased since the 1980s, with over 40% of American adults now classified as obese.
Sedentary lifestyle: More sedentary behavior is mentioned as a possible contributing factor.
Dietary changes: Changes in eating habits, including increased consumption of unhealthy foods and sugary beverages, are suggested as potential risk factors.
Environmental exposures: While not specified in detail, environmental factors are mentioned as possible contributors to the increased cancer risk.
Antibiotic use: Excessive use of antibiotics, which can alter the gut microbiome, is being investigated as a potential factor, particularly for colorectal cancer.
Chemical exposures: General exposure to various chemicals is mentioned as a potential risk factor that requires further investigation.
Common medications: The use of certain medications is suggested as a possible contributing factor, though specifics are not provided.
Early-life exposures: Dr. William Dahut from the ACS suggests that environmental and lifestyle influences during childhood and teenage years may contribute to these trends, as cancer often takes years to develop.
Microbiome changes: Dr. Jiyoung Ahn from NYU Perlmutter Cancer Center mentions that changes in the microbiome due to antibiotic use since the 1950s may play a role.
The researchers emphasize that while these factors are being considered, the exact causes of the increased cancer risk in younger generations are not yet fully understood and require further investigation.
It’s important to note that many of these cancers are appearing before the recommended screening ages, making early detection more challenging. Dr. Flora emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and proactive health management: “Listen to your body, have conversations with your doctors, do the things that you know you should be doing to reduce the risk of cancers like controlling weight and exercising.”
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Recommendations for Younger Generations
According to Dr. Doug Flora, here are several recommendations for younger generations to address the increased cancer risk
- Increased awareness and self-monitoring
- Lifestyle modifications
- Controlling weight and exercising regularly
- Avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption
- Improving diet and reducing obesity
- Regular check-ups and preventive care
- Early screening
- Know your family history
- Stay up-to-date with screenings
- Seek affordable, comprehensive health insurance
In light of these findings, the American Cancer Society is advocating for more accessible and affordable healthcare. They plan to continue working with lawmakers to ensure Medicaid expansion in every state, recognizing that comprehensive health insurance is crucial for improving cancer outcomes.
This research serves as a wake-up call for younger generations to prioritize their health and engage in preventive care. While the results may seem alarming, they are intended to raise awareness and encourage healthier lifestyle choices rather than instill fear.
As we move forward, further studies will be necessary to understand the underlying causes of this generational shift in cancer risk. In the meantime, individuals of all ages are encouraged to maintain regular check-ups, adopt healthy habits, and stay informed about their personal cancer risk factors.
Study Details
Scope of the research: The study analyzed data from more than 23 million patients diagnosed with 34 types of cancer. Mortality data was obtained from seven million deaths of 25 types of cancers.
Age range and generations studied:The individuals studied were between the ages of 24 and 85. The study focused on Generation X (born 1965-1980, currently aged 44-59) and Millennials (born 1981-1996, currently aged 28-43).
While the specific methodology wasn’t detailed, we can infer that:
- The study was a large-scale, retrospective analysis of cancer incidence and mortality data.
- It compared cancer rates across different generations, particularly focusing on the differences between Gen X/Millennials and older generations.
- The research likely used statistical analysis to identify trends in cancer incidence and mortality across age groups and birth cohorts.
- The study examined both incidence rates (new cancer diagnoses) and mortality trends for various cancer types.
It’s worth noting that the American Cancer Society has a history of conducting large-scale, long-term cancer prevention studies, as evidenced by their Cancer Prevention Studies (CPS) series. However, this particular study seems to be a separate analysis focusing specifically on generational differences in cancer risk.
References
American Cancer Society. (2024, July 31). Generation X and Millennials in U.S. Have Higher Risk of Developing 17 Cancers Compared to Older Generations, New Study Suggests. https://pressroom.cancer.org/higherriskGenXandMillennials
Last Updated on August 2, 2024 by shalw
