A RECENT study examining cancer incidence and mortality trends among adults born between 1920 and 1990 (Gen X and Millennials) in the USA, the study revealed a concerning increase in cancer rates among younger generations.
The research analysed data from over 23 million cancer patients and found that 17 out of 34 types of cancer have shown rising incidence rates in recent birth cohorts, with some cancers more than doubling in frequency in young cohorts compared to older cohorts.
Notably, results showed that Millennials face a significantly higher risk of developing cancers such as small intestine, kidney, pancreatic, and liver cancer compared to Gen X. For instance, the incidence of small intestine cancer in the 1990 birth cohort was 3.56 times higher than in the 1955 cohort. Similar trends were observed for kidney and renal pelvis cancer, pancreatic cancer, and liver cancer among women, with incidence rates two to three times higher in the younger cohorts.
The study also indicated a resurgence of cancer rates in younger cohorts for cancers that have previously seen declining incidence in older cohorts. These include colorectal cancer, breast cancer, and uterine cancer, among others. This highlights a growing concern that younger generations are increasingly at risk for cancers that were once common mainly in older adults.
The researchers call for an investigation into the underlying causes and risk factors contributing to this rise in cancer incidence among younger people. And emphasize the importance of early-life exposure to environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors as potential contributors to this trend. The increasing cancer burden in younger generations calls for renewed public health efforts to mitigate these risks and improve early detection and prevention strategies.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Sung et al. Differences in cancer rates among adults born between 1920 and 1990 in the USA: an analysis of population-based cancer registry data. 2024;9(8):e583-93.
