Study reveals increased cancer risk for Gen X and millennials compared to older generations

08/09/2024 / By Olivia Cook

A new study revealed that millennials and Generation X individuals have a higher risk of developing certain cancers compared to earlier generations. Researchers attributed this increased risk to greater consumption of ultra-processed foods and higher obesity rates among younger individuals.

The study, published in The Lancet Public Health by the American Cancer Society (ACS), noted that cancer incidence rates have been rising in younger generations for 17 out of 34 types of cancer, including breast, gastric and pancreatic cancers. Mortality trends also increased in conjunction with the incidence of colorectal, gallbladder, liver (female only), testicular and uterine corpus cancers.

Lead study author Dr. Hyuna Sung, senior principal scientist of the ACS Surveillance and Health Equity Science, noted that these findings contribute to the “growing evidence of increased cancer risk in post-Baby Boomer generations” and “expands on previous studies of early-onset colorectal cancer and several obesity-associated cancers to include a wider range of cancer types.”

Sung further explained that birth cohorts, defined as groups of people in the same year, experience unique economic, environmental, political and social conditions that influence their exposure to cancer risk factors during critical developmental periods. However, despite identifying these cancer trends related to birth years, the exact reasons for the rising rates remain unclear.

Researchers analyzed tens of millions of patients diagnosed with cancer

Researchers conducted an analysis using data from 23.6 million patients diagnosed with 34 types of cancer and 7.4 million cancer-related deaths for 25 cancer types. The data, covering individuals aged 25 to 84 years, spanned from January 2000 to December 2019 and was sourced from the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and the National Center for Health Statistics.

To assess cancer rates across different generations, the researchers calculated incidence and mortality rates specific to birth cohorts, accounting for age and period effects. The cohorts were divided into five-year intervals ranging from 1920 to 1990.

The study found that cancer incidence rates have risen with each successive birth cohort starting from around 1920 for eight of the 34 cancers examined. Notably, the incidence rates for kidney, pancreatic and small intestinal cancers were approximately two to three times higher in individuals born in 1990 compared to those born in 1955, for both males and females. Additionally, liver cancer incidence in females showed a similar increase.

The research also revealed that after a decline in older birth cohorts for nine additional cancers, including anal cancer in males, estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gallbladder cancer, Kaposi sarcoma in males, non-cardia gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer and uterine corpus cancer.

Across various cancer types, the 1990 birth cohort exhibited a range of increased incidence rates – from 12 percent higher for ovarian cancer to 169 percent higher for uterine corpus cancer compared to the cohort with the lowest incidence rate.

Mortality rates also rose in younger cohorts, mirroring the increasing incidence rates for colorectal cancer, gallbladder cancer, liver cancer in females, testicular cancer and uterine corpus cancer.

A spokesperson for the ACS commented on these findings by noting the concerning trend of rising colorectal cancer rates among younger people who are typically not considered at risk for this cancer type. Identified risk factors include alcohol consumption, obesity, sedentary lifestyles, smoking and unhealthy diets. (Related: Experts, studies recommend eating like your ancestors to boost longevity.)

The spokesperson emphasized that the increase in cancer diagnoses among Gen X and millennials is two to four times higher compared to older generations at the same age – suggesting that other factors may also contribute. They called for more research to determine the additional cases behind the trend.

Watch this video discussing how young adults are becoming more prone to certain types of cancer.

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