Let’s talk about a concerning topic — the unexplained rise of cancer among younger generations.
As you keep reading, you’ll learn more about this trend so you can share this knowledge with your millennial friends or family members (those born between 1981 and 2000).
Of course, feel free to apply this information to yourself as well, as this issue is not limited to just millennials.
So let’s dive in!
The reality
Cancer, once considered a disease predominantly affecting humans farther along in age, has been on the rise among millennials in recent years.
This puzzling trend has left many searching for answers as the statistics paint a worrying picture.
1️⃣ Colorectal cancer, typically associated with older adults, has seen a 70% increase in diagnoses among humans in their 20s and 30s in G20 nations from 1990 to 2019.
2️⃣ Thyroid cancer, which was previously rare in young adults, has become one of the fastest-growing cancer types among millennials, with an 81% increase in diagnoses.
3️⃣ Breast cancer, traditionally affecting women over 50, is now appearing more frequently in women under 40, increasing in 42%.
The puzzle 🧩
While the exact reasons behind this unexplained rise remain hard to pin down, several potential factors have been identified.
1. Environmental Changes
We’re living in a world marked by environmental shifts, including increased exposure to pollutants, chemicals in food & water, endocrine disruptors and radiation from electronic devices.
2. Lifestyle Choices
Modern lifestyles often involve poor dietary habits, sedentary routines, increased stress levels, and excessive use of alcohol and tobacco, all which can influence our gut microbiome, contribute to obesity and take a toll on our overall well-being.
3. Delayed Parenthood
Women are having their children at older ages, leading to a change in their biological clock and delayed hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and breastfeeding, which have been shown to protect against breast cancer.
So now what?
Let’s focus on what you can do. It’s never too early to take control of your health.
Regular blood testing (ideally 3 times per year), maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and staying informed.
Blood testing is one of the ways to detect subtle changes in your body that may indicate an increased risk of developing cancer. You can then make informed decisions about lifestyle modifications, seek medical advice promptly, and potentially prevent cancer from spreading further before it takes hold and it becomes harder to address.
Credit: Private MD Labs
