Armando Orlandi, Medical Director at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS, shared on LinkedIn:
”URGENT: Cancer is Rising Dramatically Among Young Adults Worldwide
New research published in ESMO Open reveals a concerning global health crisis that demands immediate attention.
Key Findings:
Nearly 1 million cancers occur annually among young adults worldwide
Cancer is now the LEADING cause of death for people under 50 in middle-to-high income regions, surpassing cardiovascular disease
79% increase in incidence (1990-2019) among adults under 50 – the ONLY age group experiencing sustained growth
Gender disparity is widening: Young women now have 82% higher cancer rates than men (141.1 vs 77.4 per 100,000)
Cancer Types on the Rise:
- Digestive cancers (colorectal, pancreatic, liver)
- Breast and gynecological cancers
- Kidney, prostate, thyroid cancers
- Lung cancer in never-smokers
What’s Driving This Crisis?
Research points to multiple factors:
- Obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Early antibiotic exposure affecting microbiome
- Environmental pollutants and endocrine disruptors
- Lifestyle changes (diet, physical activity, sleep)
- “Accelerated aging” in post-1965 generations
The Bottom Line:
By 2050, both incidence and mortality are projected to increase by ~13%. This isn’t just about better screening – many of these cancers occur in organs where screening doesn’t exist for young adults.
We need coordinated global action integrating molecular biology, epidemiology, environmental science, and clinical medicine.
The future health of an entire generation depends on understanding and addressing this crisis NOW.”
Title: The rising tides of cancers among young adults
Authors: F. André, E. Rassy, B. Achutti-Duso, A. Boilève, C. Smolenschi, S. Delaloge, F. Barlesi
Read the Full Article.
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