MDVIPEarly Onset Cancer is Rising Among Younger Adults

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Early-onset cancers are increasing among Generation X and Millennial adults, with the American Cancer Society documenting a 1-2% annual rise across multiple cancer types. Research published in BMJ Oncology projects a 30% increase in early-onset cancers between 2019 and 2030. This shift has already influenced clinical practice, as evidenced by the adjustment of colorectal cancer screening guidelines from age 50 to 45.

Key Points:

• The study identified 17 rising cancers among younger adults, including cardia gastric, small intestine, estrogen receptor-positive breast, and colorectal cancers. Nine of these cancers show declining rates in Baby Boomer and Silent Generation populations, suggesting a generational shift in cancer presentation patterns.
• Multiple factors contribute to early-onset cancer risk, including delayed screening adherence, healthcare inequities, altered gut microbiome from processed foods and microplastics exposure, and changes in reproductive patterns among younger women. The obesity epidemic correlates significantly with 10 of the 17 identified cancers.
• Clinical practice implications emphasize the importance of primary care physician involvement in maintaining screening schedules and lifestyle modification programs, particularly for patients with family histories of cancer.
• Prevention strategies focus on six key areas: tobacco cessation, alcohol limitation, regular exercise, healthy diet maintenance, weight management, and safe sex practices. These factors directly correlate with specific cancer types, allowing for targeted intervention strategies.
• Healthcare disparities play a crucial role in both screening access and treatment timing, particularly affecting gastrointestinal cancer outcomes through delayed detection and intervention.

“We’ve known for a while that Americans are developing cancer at younger ages. In fact, several years ago, early detection screening guidelines for colorectal cancer were shifted from beginning at age 50 to beginning at 45.”
– Bernard Kaminetsky, MD, Medical Director, MDVIP

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