Obesity linked to cancer rise in young UK adults

Experts reveal that the increasing obesity rates could be fueling a rise in cancer cases among adults under 50 in the UK.

Between the early 1990s and 2019, cancer cases among people aged 25 to 49 surged by 24%, the highest increase among all age groups and more than double the 10% rise observed in individuals over 75.

For those aged 25 to 49, cancer incidence went from 132.9 per 100,000 people in 1993 to 164.6 by 2019. The second-largest increase was seen in the under-25 age group, with a 16% rise, from 16.6 cases per 100,000 to 19.2.

Conversely, the lowest increase was noted in the over-75 age group, with an average rise of 13%, from 539 to 611.5 per 100,000.

Projections indicate that cancer rates will continue climbing, reaching 34,000 annual cases for individuals aged 25 to 49 by 2040, up from the current 32,600 cases a year.

Experts speculate that this surge could be attributed to unidentified risks, genetic factors, and advancements in diagnosis and screening techniques.

However, lifestyle changes, dietary habits, and the rising prevalence of obesity are also believed to contribute significantly.

Prof. Charles Swanton, chief clinician at Cancer Research UK, stated, “Over recent decades, there has been a clear increase in cancer incidence rates in young adults in the UK.

Evidence suggests that more adults under 50 may be getting cancer than before.

Although these cases are a small proportion of the overall population and still relatively uncommon, the trend is important, and it requires further investigation.”

He added, “Increased exposure to known and unknown cancer risk factors, changes to lifestyles and diets over time, and rising obesity may all contribute to the uptick in early-onset cancer.

Genetics, improvements in diagnosis and screening, and the microbiome could also play a role.”

According to the Health Survey for England 2021, around 25% of adults in England are obese, with an additional 38% being overweight but not obese.

Prof. Swanton emphasized that approximately 40% of cancer cases are preventable, urging people to take proactive steps such as avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, protecting their skin from the sun, and reducing alcohol consumption.

The rising incidence of cancer in young people is not confined to the UK but is a global phenomenon.

Team Prospect, an international research organization funded by several institutes, including Cancer Research UK, is tasked with uncovering the reasons behind these changes.

Dr. Aparna Parikh, an oncologist and member of Team Prospect, said, “Team Prospect is seeking to understand what is driving a global, stark rise in early-onset colorectal cancer.

We want to gain a deep mechanistic understanding of biological processes and environmental causes, and to do this we’re looking at a diverse set of data and patients from all around the world.

This is complex, and the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer cases is driven by various factors, including diet, the environment, and features of the microbiome."

She continued, “A greater understanding of why cancer cases are rising can help us to understand how to intervene and identify high-risk patients for cancer screening.

By trialing methods to assess risk and prevent early-onset colorectal cancers, we can shape a hopeful and healthier future for younger generations.”

A study published last year in the journal Cancer Cell linked obesity to an increased risk of cancer, with risks varying by gender and cancer type.

Researchers found that all cancer types, except brain, cervical, and testicular cancers, are associated with at least one obesity-related trait, with gender-specific associations observed.

For female patients, the strongest connections between overall fat accumulation and cancer were found in gallbladder cancer, endometrial cancer, and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

In men, the strongest links were in breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and renal cell carcinoma.

Source: thenationalnews

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