Early-Onset Cancers: Just Another Fun Perk of Modern Life
Welcome to 2024, where life expectancy is going up, but so is your chance of getting cancer before you even turn 50. Yes, the health crisis you didn't see coming, but should have, is here. If you thought cancer was an issue for your grandparents to worry about, think again. Early-onset cancers — that’s right, the ones hitting people under 50 — have been steadily climbing the charts, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Aren’t you lucky?
Gone are the days when you could coast into your golden years before worrying about the big C. Now, more and more people in their 30s and 40s are getting the "fun" news earlier than expected. A 2023 study in BMJ noted that early-onset cases of 29 different cancers have skyrocketed nearly 80 percent worldwide between 1990 and 2019. That's right, almost doubling the joy! And it’s not just happening in the US — no, it’s a global trend, because who doesn’t love a little worldwide health crisis?
In fact, between 2010 and 2019, cancer in people under 50 shot up in America, with women in particular getting a generous helping of the cancer buffet. And the real MVP of this rising trend? Colorectal cancer. Nothing says “welcome to adulthood” quite like a cancer diagnosis. There were 5.7 cases per 100,000 people in 2019, up 63 percent since 1990. What a time to be alive, right?
Let’s not forget the other cancers joining the early-onset party: bladder, kidney, pancreas, and, of course, your favorite classics like breast and skin cancers. It's like the worst VIP list ever. And guess what? Doctors like John Marshall at Georgetown University are scratching their heads because half of his patients are now under 50. Even he didn’t expect the cancer boom to hit this hard. But hey, who doesn't love a surprise?
Why Is This Happening? Oh, Just Everything You Do, Eat, and Breathe
If you’re wondering why cancer has become the unwelcome guest at your 40th birthday party, look no further than your diet of deep-fried, sugar-coated, ultra-processed delights. Yep, those tasty treats that come with a side of regret are linked to early-onset cancer. That double cheeseburger and extra-large soda? Oh yeah, they’re rolling out the red carpet for colorectal cancer. A 2022 review in Frontiers in Nutrition basically said, “Keep eating that garbage, and good luck.” Too much fat, sugar, and not enough fiber — who could’ve guessed that’d be bad for you?
But wait, there’s more! It’s not just your diet. Nope, microplastics are here to play. Yes, those tiny, invisible particles in your food, water, and probably even your clothes are now a suspect in this cancer mystery. A New Zealand research team has connected the dots between the rise of cancers in young adults and the spike in microplastic pollution. So, on top of making the oceans sad, microplastics might also be getting cozy in your GI tract and inviting tumors to the party. Isn’t modern life just fantastic?
Let’s not forget our old friends, alcohol and environmental toxins. Who knew that having a glass of wine while surrounded by synthetic materials in your microplastic-filled home would be contributing to cancer? Well, maybe you didn’t, but here we are.
What Do We Do Now?
At this point, you might be wondering, “Should I just stop eating, drinking, and existing?” Well, that’s one option, but it might be hard to sustain. The reality is that while we still don’t have all the answers, we do know this: ultra-processed food, booze, microplastics, and your Netflix-binging, sitting-all-day lifestyle aren’t doing you any favors.
But don’t panic just yet. Sure, the best solution would be to move to a remote farm and eat organic kale while drinking water from a natural spring (good luck with that), but for the rest of us, it’s about making more informed choices. Maybe cut down on the deep-fried Oreos and swap your soda for water once in a while. Small steps, folks.
Where’s Cancer Really Making a Comeback?
If you thought cancer was something you didn’t have to worry about until your mid-life crisis, think again. The numbers are climbing, and not just in a few places. Here's a rundown of where early-onset cancers are rising most dramatically, just to add to that growing list of things to stress about:
United States: The land of the brave, free, and fast food. Cancers like colorectal and breast cancer are increasingly hitting younger adults. The rise in sedentary lifestyles, processed food consumption, and, let's be honest, stress levels that come with social media doomscrolling aren’t helping.
United Kingdom: Even across the pond, early-onset cancers are on the rise. Colorectal and skin cancer are making headlines, with experts blaming lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption, poor diet, and the UK's famously elusive sunshine.
Australia: Known for its gorgeous beaches and deadly wildlife, Australia has another dangerous enemy—cancer. Skin cancer rates, in particular, are rising fast due to high UV exposure and the country’s outdoor culture. More young people are being diagnosed, despite better awareness of sun safety.
China: With rapid industrialization and urbanization, China has seen a significant increase in cancers among younger populations. In particular, gastrointestinal cancers are rising, possibly due to environmental factors and changes in diet—goodbye traditional cuisine, hello processed food.
Brazil: Like many other rapidly developing countries, Brazil has seen an uptick in cancers linked to lifestyle changes. Colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers are all on the rise, as diets shift towards processed foods and less physical activity becomes the norm.
South Korea: South Korea is known for K-pop, beauty innovations, and, unfortunately, an increasing number of young people with cancer. Gastric and colorectal cancers have been climbing in recent years, tied to changes in diet and environmental factors.
Japan: Despite its reputation for a healthy diet, Japan is not immune. Cancers like stomach and colorectal cancer are rising among younger populations, fueled by increased consumption of processed foods and a more sedentary lifestyle.
Western Europe: Across much of Western Europe, early-onset cancers such as breast, colorectal, and thyroid cancers are becoming more common. Diet and alcohol consumption, along with declining physical activity, play a big role here.
The COVID-19 Vaccine Question: A Wild Card or Just Another Medical Miracle? (Any Conspiracies on Turbo-Cancer?)
Now, before anyone gets their tinfoil hats on too tight, let’s clear the air: there is no strong evidence yet that COVID-19 vaccines are contributing to the surge in cancer cases. That said, it’s not unreasonable to wonder if we’ll see new data emerge over time. After all, vaccines are designed to alter our immune system’s response, and while they’ve been tested to the max in clinical trials, long-term effects are, by definition, still being studied.
Right now, major health bodies like the WHO and FDA are adamant that the vaccines are safe, and the current uptick in cancer cases is more likely linked to factors like delayed screenings during the pandemic or even environmental exposures we’re only just beginning to understand (hello again, microplastics). But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t keep a watchful eye on the research. After all, we’ve been caught off guard before, and science is nothing if not the process of learning from new evidence.
For now, vaccines remain a key tool in fighting the pandemic, but as with anything new, the story isn’t over yet. Continued monitoring will be crucial in determining whether there’s any connection between the vaccines and longer-term health trends, including cancer.
The Inevitable Conclusion
So, as we head into another year of wellness trends, influencer detox teas, and miracle diets, let’s face the music. The modern world is basically designed to keep us comfortable… until it kills us. The rise in early-onset cancers is just one of the many ways life is reminding us that everything comes with a catch. Eat better, move more, and maybe invest in a water filter that claims to block out microplastics — because if you're under 50, cancer is no longer just your parents' problem. Welcome to adulthood, where everything is trying to kill you, but at least you’re ahead of the curve!
Beware of the vaccines!!