Studies show that cancer among people under 50 has increased

A study published in a scientific journal BMJ Oncology It reveals that the number of cancer cases worldwide among people under 50 has risen by an alarming 79%.

According to the researchers involved in the study, who include famous scholars from institutions such as Zhejiang University in China, the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London in United kingdom, Among other things, the trend is for this situation to continue to worsen.

Cancer cases and deaths in this age group are expected to increase by 31% and 21%, respectively, by 2030, with people aged 40 and over being the most affected, the analysis highlights. This research was conducted looking at data from 204 countries on cancer incidence, deaths, health effects and risk factors in people aged 14 to 49 years.

What does the data show?

For researchers, the data reveals that in 2019, 1.82 million new cases of cancer were recorded in people under the age of 50. This figure shows a 79% increase compared to data for the year 1900. The number of deaths due to cancer in this age group in 2019 reached 1.06 million, an increase of 28% compared to three previous decades.

The majority of these cases were breast cancer, with an incidence rate of 13.7 per 100,000 population worldwide. However, it was trachea (nasopharyngeal) and prostate tumors that showed the greatest growth in the period analyzed, increasing annually by 2.28% and 2.23%, respectively.

The regions and countries were most affected

The regions with the highest rates of cancer were North America, Australia and Western Europe. However, low- to middle-income developing countries, such as those in Oceania, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, have experienced a higher mortality rate.

The study showed that the impact of cancer in these countries is more devastating for women, both in terms of mortality and quality of life.

Factors contributing to this increase

Scientists believe that a combination of genetic and behavioral factors contribute to the increase in cancer cases among young people. Risk behaviors include poor diet, alcohol and tobacco consumption, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and high blood sugar. However, they stress that there is still much to be studied.

Poor healthcare infrastructure in some countries can lead to under-reporting and under-diagnosis. Furthermore, it is necessary to consider the impact of increased ability to make early diagnosis and exposure to environmental factors.

Experts stress the need to invest in preventive measures and early detection, as well as the importance of developing new treatment strategies. Moreover, it highlights the importance of comprehensive care, taking into account the particularities and needs of the younger population.