Why More Young People Are Getting Cancer | Business Insider Explains | Insider News
- Unidentified Environmental Exposures: Some potential culprits could be environmental exposures that haven’t been pinpointed yet. These exposures might occur in utero, infancy, or childhood, and have long-term effects that increase cancer risk later in life.
- Lifestyle Factors: Diet, exercise habits, and obesity rates have all changed in recent decades. Poor diet, lack of exercise, and weight gain are all linked to an increased risk of some cancers.
- Changes in Cancer Screening: Cancers diagnosed in younger adults are often those historically detected through screenings not typically recommended until later ages (e.g., colonoscopies). This means some cancers might be going undiagnosed for longer in younger people.
- Social Determinants of Health: Access to healthy foods, preventative healthcare, and healthy living environments can all play a role in cancer risk. Disparities in these areas can contribute to higher cancer rates in certain populations.
Research is ongoing to better understand these trends. In the meantime, focusing on healthy lifestyle choices like maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly can help reduce cancer risk for everyone.