"Change is the end result of all true learning." - Leo Buscaglia

Monday. Major companies are loosening up their tattoo policies because, at this point, almost everyone has some ink. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one-third of people in the U.S. say they have a rose, tribal arm band, or a leaping dolphin inked somewhere on their body. And to no one’s surprise, tattoos are more common among young adults than older folk — which brings us to today’s topic. When you are in your 20s and 30s, bad tattoos should be your biggest concern. The last thing young adults should have to worry about is cancer. But, unfortunately, that might be changing. Let’s dive in.

A Concerning Trend

It's a generally accepted notion that cancer is more commonly diagnosed in older adults, particularly those aged 65 and above. However, recent research has found a worrisome trend. The cancer diagnosis rate in younger Americans is on an upward curve, particularly for gastrointestinal, endocrine, and breast cancers.

A recently published study in JAMA Network Open revealed that although cancer rates have decreased among the older population, they've seen a slight rise in those under 50. The most significant increase is noticeable among individuals aged 30 to 39. This has prompted experts to highlight the need for more research on this age group, which has historically been less studied when it comes to cancer.

Naturally, this begs the question — why is this happening? As with anything related to health, there isn't a single and straightforward answer. Several factors could be contributing, including lifestyle habits like alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise, and poor sleep. Environmental factors such as pollution exposure and harmful chemicals might also be culprits.

The vast data compiled from over 560,000 patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2019 showed that the number of early-onset cancer diagnoses rose by nearly 1%. Interestingly, this trend was most evident among the 30-to-39 age bracket, which witnessed a surge of about 19%.

19% — that’s a scary jump!

Breast cancer recorded the highest numbers in younger individuals, with an 8% increase over a decade. Gastrointestinal cancers showed a 15% growth, marking them the most rapidly increasing cancer diagnosis among the younger demographic.

However, what's even more intriguing is the disparity between genders. Young women saw a 4.4% rise in early-onset cancers, while men observed a decline of almost 5%. The rapid increase in young women could be linked to the noticeable surge in breast and uterus cancers.

It's crucial to put these numbers in perspective. As some experts point out, even though this trend is significant (and concerning), younger people with cancer still only contribute a small part to the overall cancer statistics. The study also didn't delve into whether these cancers developed earlier or if they were just diagnosed sooner.

The good news? This research is encouraging new initiatives to understand the risk factors that might explain these trends. For instance, the American Cancer Society noticed that colorectal cancer diagnoses are increasingly happening at younger ages. As a result, in 2018, they recommended starting screenings at age 45, five years earlier than the previous guidelines.

The key takeaway? With these changing trends in mind, it's crucial to reevaluate and adapt our cancer screening practices. Early detection can be critical in helping people beat most cancers.

Also, while 1.9 million new cancer cases are diagnosed yearly in the U.S., it's essential to remember that not all cancers have screening tests, and those that do are often not suggested for younger individuals unless they're at high risk.

At the end of the day, it always comes back to the same thing — we must prioritize a healthy lifestyle, which includes maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, moderating alcohol intake, and steering clear of smoking.

Tonic Shots

1. Healthy Fried Rice? Yes, Please.

This is such a tasty meal that you can make and have plenty of leftovers! Enjoy

2. Too Good To Be True

How can something that looks that good be healthy? Indulge with this homemade low-carb protein bar and skip the store-bought stuff!

3. Healthy Gut, Happy Gut

Kefir is a great food to promote a healthy gut. Give this Kefir smoothie recipe a try, and you might be surprised by how good you feel!

Keep Reading

Love The Daily Tonic? Here’s another newsletter you may love too: