Several cancers in younger adults are on the rise, stumping medical professionals everywhere.

Now, a groundbreaking new study has presented some of the most compelling evidence yet as to why — and revealed who’s at the greatest risk.

The study, published in the journal Cancer Discovery, analyzed over two million cases and found significant increases in early-onset cancers.

The biggest spike was seen in four cancers — breast, colorectal, kidney and uterine — representing a shocking 80% increase in cases in 2019 versus 2010.

Notably, about 63% of these early-onset cancers occurred in women.

While death rates for most cancers in young adults have not risen, increases were seen for colorectal, uterine and testicular cancers.

This kind of data provides “a critical starting point for understanding the drivers of rising rates of cancer in early-onset age groups, lead author Meredith Shiels, a senior investigator at the National Cancer Institute, said in a press release.

She has hope this research could “translate to effective cancer prevention and early detection efforts.”

“As one example, recent guidelines have lowered the age of initiation for breast and colorectal cancer screening based, at least partially, on observations that rates for these cancers are increasing at younger ages,” she said.

Researchers suggest that rising obesity rates may be a significant factor, as several of these cancers are associated with excess body weight.

Other potential contributors include changes in reproductive patterns, such as delayed childbirth, which can negatively influence breast cancer risk.

On a positive note, advances in cancer detection and changes in screening guidelines may also play a role in identifying more cases at younger ages.

This trend isn’t isolated. A global study published in 2023 found that early-onset cancer cases worldwide increased by 79% between 1990 and 2019.

The study also identified a 27.7% increase in cancer-related deaths, led by breast, trachea, lung, bowel and stomach cancers.

Windpipe and prostate cancer saw the largest increases since 1990 — and North America was pronounced to have one of the highest incidence of early-onset cancers.

This study, led in part by researchers from China, blamed the rise on “westernized diets” that contain excessive amounts of salt, red meat and alcohol — as well as pointing the finger at poor exercise habits and extra weight.

In the US, the rise in early-onset cancers has prompted changes in screening recommendations.

For instance, the recommended age to start colon cancer screenings has been lowered from 50 to 45 — and some experts advise getting colonoscopies even earlier.

Researchers emphasize the importance of awareness and early detection, especially for younger people who may not consider themselves at risk.

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