The number of cancer cases among children and young adults in the United States has been rising steadily since 1995, and several factors over which people have some control explain this phenomenon, says a report from the American Academy of Cancer Research.American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) published Tuesday evening.
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In the United States, approximately 18,000 people aged 50 and under are diagnosed with early-onset cancer each year. Of all ages, two million Americans are expected to be diagnosed with cancer by 2024.
The causes of this increase in cancers among young people are multiple and complex, but seven factors are identified in the AACR report. These are smoking, being overweight, alcohol consumption, exposure to ultraviolet rays, malnutrition, pathogens and a sedentary lifestyle.
In those aged 30 and under, these seven elements contribute to 40% of diagnosed cancers.
Tobacco
Cigarette smoking is responsible for nearly 20% of cancer cases in young people; it is by far the most common factor among patients. 30% of people who die of cancer smoked cigarettes. 80 to 90% of deaths from lung cancer are attributable to tobacco use.
On average, a person who smokes dies 10 years younger than a person who does not smoke.
Obesity
Excess weight is responsible for 7.6% of cancer cases. Between 2017 and 2020, the obesity rate among American adults was 41.9%. This is a 37% increase from the year 2000. Severe obesity has doubled during the same period.
15 types of cancer can be caused by being overweight, from the head to the bladder, including the lungs, stomach, kidneys, prostate and ovaries.
On the other hand, adopting an active lifestyle can reduce the chances of developing nine types of cancer, including liver, colon and breast cancer.
Alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption is linked to more than 200 diseases and six types of cancer:
– Colorectal cancer
– Breast cancer
– Certain types of head and neck cancers
– Liver cancer
– Esophageal cancer
– Stomach cancer
In the United States, alcohol is responsible for 5.4% of cancers. Reducing or stopping alcohol consumption can reduce their risk of developing cancer by 8%.
Ultraviolet rays
Ultraviolet rays, whether produced by the sun or tanning beds, are responsible for 4.6% of cancers and are responsible for 95% of melanomas found on the skin.
Exposure to these rays is a major factor in skin cancer in general, and particularly in the most aggressive forms of this type of cancer.
It is recommended to limit your exposure to the sun, especially between 10am and 4pm, to wear a hat, sunglasses, and clothing that covers your legs and arms. Applying sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside is also strongly recommended.
Tanning salons that use ultraviolet rays are strongly discouraged.
Food
Malnutrition is blamed as a factor in 4.2% of cancers. The consumption of processed foods, in particular, is strongly associated with the risk of developing cancer.
Besides junk food, red meat is also a food that increases the chances of cancer. It is recommended to limit yourself to three servings of red meat per week and to avoid cold cuts, bacon and hot dogs as much as possible.
Sugary drinks are associated with an increased risk of developing colon cancer, as well as diabetes and kidney disease.
Fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and fish are preferred and reduce the chances of developing several cancers and other diseases.
Pathogens
Infections caused by pathogens are responsible for 3.4% of all cancers reported. 90% of these cases are attributable to four specific elements: the human papillomavirus (HPV), the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, as well as hepatitis B and C.
Vaccination and treatment for these ailments can significantly reduce the risk of developing any of these infections.
Physical activity
Not surprisingly, adopting an active lifestyle reduces the risk of cancer for all age groups. In the United States, only 20% of young people aged 6 to 17 get enough exercise, at least one hour a day.
A young person who moves little is more likely to be diagnosed with cancer once he or she reaches adulthood.
Being physically active as a child increases the chances of becoming an active adult and therefore reduces the risk of developing a chronic disease or cancer in adulthood.
