A new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) reveals concerning trends: Generation X and millennials in the United States face a higher risk of developing 17 different types of cancer compared to older generations.
The study, covering data from 2000 to 2019, analyzed 23.6 million cancer cases and 7.3 million cancer deaths, painting a stark picture for these younger age groups.
The study found that incidence rates for cancers of the small intestine, kidney, and pancreas were two to three times higher for individuals born in the early 1990s compared to those born in the late 1950s.
Moreover, millennial women are more susceptible to liver cancer and non-HPV-related oral and throat cancers than their counterparts from the late 1950s.
The detailed analysis, published in the Lancet Public Health, adds to the growing evidence of increased cancer risk among post-Baby Boomer generations.
Previous research has already indicated a rise in early-onset colorectal cancer and certain obesity-related cancers. The current findings expand this concern to a broader range of cancers.
The researchers have yet to pinpoint a definitive cause for this alarming trend. However, they note that 10 of the 17 cancers with rising incidence rates are associated with obesity.
This suggests that lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, may play a significant role in these trends.
Dr. Hyuna Sung, the lead author of the study and ACS senior principal scientist, explained the importance of these findings in identifying and addressing risk factors specific to Gen X and millennial populations.
“These findings add to growing evidence of increased cancer risk in post-Baby Boomer generations, expanding on previous findings of early-onset colorectal cancer and a few obesity-associated cancers to encompass a broader range of cancer types,” said Sung.
Dr. Ahmedin Jemal, a senior study author and ACS senior vice president, echoed this sentiment.
“Without effective population-level interventions, and as the elevated risk in younger generations is carried over as individuals age, an overall increase in cancer burden could occur in the future, halting or reversing decades of progress against the disease,” Jemal noted.
The ACS has underscored the importance of lifestyle changes, stating that 40% of cancer cases and nearly half of cancer deaths among American adults aged 30 and older could be prevented by measures such as weight loss and smoking cessation.
As the World Health Organization predicts over 35 million new cancer cases globally by 2050, a 77% increase from 2022, these findings serve as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive health measures.
The study calls for immediate action to understand and mitigate the risks faced by younger generations, ensuring a healthier future for all.