Alarming increase in diagnoses among young people
Mia, a 35-year-old woman, was diagnosed with stage 3 rectal cancer in early 2023. Like many young people, Mia was initially incredulous about her diagnosis, associating this type of disease with older individuals. This phenomenon is not isolated. In fact, the risk of being diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 15 and 39 has increased by 40% since 1975.
Risk factors related to the Western lifestyle
Cancer rates among young people are rising particularly in countries with a Western lifestyle, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and parts of Europe. These areas are characterized by increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, often sedentary lifestyles, and disrupted sleep patterns.
Cancers on the rise among young people
Fourteen types of cancer are increasing rapidly in young people. These include: breast cancer, colorectal cancer, endometrial cancer, esophageal cancer, bile duct cancer, gallbladder cancer, head and neck cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, bone marrow cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, and thyroid cancer. These cancers are increasingly affecting people under 50.
